Coast Guard deploys vessels, men to key areas in Manila; DPWH readies roads, bridges for ‘grand massive miracle crusade’

By Betheena Kae Unite

More than two hundred personnel and several floating assets from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have been deployed in major areas along the route of the “grand massive miracle crusade” of the Santo Niño de Cebú on Saturday.

As early as Tuesday, coastal operations were conducted in the vicinity waters off Quirino Grandstand and Pasig River, particularly at Ayala Bridge, McArthur Bridge, Quezon Bridge, and Jones Bridge, where millions of devotees are expected to gather.

The Coast Guard said it deployed approximately 271 personnel and 36 floating assets along major operational areas in the vicinity of Quiapo Church, Ayala Bridge, and Quirino Grandstand.

“Available assets of PCG are already strategically deployed, including multi-role response vessels and fast patrol boats. Small crafts including high-speed boats, rigid hull inflatable boats, and rubber boats are already positioned to make sure that the critical areas are highly monitored against any untoward incident,” PCG said.

Security dogs, quick response teams, medical groups, and force multipliers from the PCG Auxiliary were also deployed to ensure a safe and secure commemoration of the annual feast day.

Devotees, on the other hand, are being encouraged to take part in the zero-casualty commemoration of Grand Massive Miracle Crusade 2020 by complying with the safety and security measures being implemented and to report to authorities any suspicious individual or incident for appropriate action.

Roads and bridges on the route of the procession had undergone corrective and maintenance measures days before the day of the feast, the Department of Public Works and Highways said.

Asphalt patching, as well as clearing of obstructions along the route and installing of barbed wire on the beams of Ayala Bridge to prevent accidents, were conducted, Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar said. “To guarantee a safe, peaceful, and orderly procession, we fast-tracked the repairs of the roadways that will be traversed by thousands of devotees in time for the feast.”

Concrete barriers along the route intersection from Quirino Grandstand to C. Palanca Road were also placed. “Aside from our precautionary efforts, DPWH manpower and equipment will be on-call to assist during the event proper,” Villar said.

https://news.mb.com.ph/2020/01/08/coast-guard-deploys-vessels-men-to-key-areas-in-manila-dpwh-readies-roads-bridges-for-traslacion/