WATER SEARCH-AND-RESCUE TRAINING. The Philippine Coast Guard trains 41 lifeguards from beach resorts in Dauin and Zamboanguita in Negros Oriental in this undated photo. The local Coast Guard station commander is hoping that local government units will allocate a budget for water search-and-rescue training as tourism is picking up in the province. (Photo courtesy of the Coast Guard Station-Negros Oriental) DUMAGUETE CITY - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Negros Oriental has urged local government units (LGUs) to allocate a budget for water search-and-rescue (WASAR) training in their localities as more tourists arrive in the province. Lt. Junior Grade Mark Tolentino, Coast Guard Negros Oriental station commander, told the Philippine News Agency on Tuesday that while part of their mission is to save lives at sea, they also have other tasks and functions such as maritime safety, maritime law enforcement, maritime security, and marine environmental protection. Having WASAR-trained perso
LIFEGUARD TRAINING. The Philippine Coast Guard in Negros Oriental is set to train 45 lifeguards for resorts in Dauin town. The Coast Guard highlighted the need for lifeguards in these areas as tourism is picking up in the province amid the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. (PNA photo by Judy Flores Partlow) DUMAGUETE CITY - The Coast Guard Station in Negros Oriental on Monday highlighted the importance of training and employing lifeguards in different resorts in the province to ensure the safety of tourists as they gear up to train the first batch next week. Lt. Junior Grade Mark Tolentino, commander of the Coast Guard Station here, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that many resorts with beach fronts and/or swimming pools do not have lifeguards. "It is SOP (standard operating procedure) that lifeguards must be stationed at these resorts to respond to emergencies, specifically drowning or even swimmers or snorkelers coming down with muscle cramps," he said in mixed English
FLUVIAL PARADE. Philippine Coast Guard-Negros Oriental personnel supervise the boarding of motorized boats during a fluvial parade in Dumaguete City on Friday (June 24, 2022). Residents of the province celebrate the feast of St. John, the Baptist on this day each year by going to the beach, lakes, and rivers. (Photo courtesy of PCG-Negros Oriental) DUMAGUETE CITY - The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Station in Negros Oriental on Friday beefed up their security in the coastal areas and bodies of water as people celebrated the Feast of St. John, the Baptist. By tradition, residents here celebrate the feast of St. John, who baptized Jesus Christ and His followers, by going to the beaches, lakes, and rivers, as water symbolizes the rite of baptism, and as a form of thanksgiving. Lt. Junior Grade Mark Tolentino, the PCG station commander here, told the Philippine News Agency that a fluvial parade early in the morning went smoothly with no untoward inci
SEA RESCUE. The tugboat M/Tug Ankiesha tows the fast ferry M/V FastCat M6 away from the breakwaters of the Rizal Boulevard in Dumaguete City. The fast craft ran aground on Wednesday afternoon (June 22, 2022) after huge waves dislodged its anchor. (Photo courtesy of PCG-Negros Oriental) DUMAGUETE CITY - A fast ferry ran aground Wednesday afternoon after being hit by a squall and huge waves that dislodged it from its mooring area off Rizal Boulevard here. Lt. Junior Grade Mark Tolentino, commander of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station in Negros Oriental, told the Philippine News Agency that at around 2:50 p.m., the M/V FastCat M6 was carried to shallow waters fronting Pantawan 2, a reclaimed area along the boulevard. "Fortunately, the vessel hit close to the bottom of the sea just meters away from the seawall, avoiding any damage," Tolentino said in mixed English and Cebuano. He also said all 15 crew members of the vessel skippered by Capt. Henry Ricafort are safe. Tolent
SEA RESCUE. The tugboat M/Tug Ankiesha tows the fast ferry M/V FastCat M6 away from the breakwaters of the Rizal Boulevard in Dumaguete City. The fast craft ran aground on Wednesday afternoon (June 22, 2022) after huge waves dislodged its anchor. (Photo courtesy of PCG-Negros Oriental) DUMAGUETE CITY - A fast ferry ran aground Wednesday afternoon after being hit by a squall and huge waves that dislodged it from its mooring area off Rizal Boulevard here. Lt. Junior Grade Mark Tolentino, commander of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station in Negros Oriental, told the Philippine News Agency that at around 2:50 p.m., the M/V FastCat M6 was carried to shallow waters fronting Pantawan 2, a reclaimed area along the boulevard. "Fortunately, the vessel hit close to the bottom of the sea just meters away from the seawall, avoiding any damage," Tolentino said in mixed English and Cebuano. He also said all 14 crew members of the vessel skippered by Capt. Henry Ricafort are safe. Tolent