The Philippine Coast Guard and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Tuesday signed an agreement to cooperate and collaborate in the operation, maintenance, repair and security of MMDA's Pasig River ferry and rescue boats.
Under the mMemorandum of agreement signed by PCG Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and MMDA Acting Chairman Atty. Romando Artes in Ortigas Center, Pasig City, with PCG Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Hostilio Arturo Cornelio as witness, coast guards will inspect the boats prior to departure to ensure compliance with safety standards, rules and regulations, and evaluate its emergency readiness.
The MOA also mandates the PCG to render aid to persons and vessels in distress, conduct search and rescue in marine accidents, as well as coordinate, develop, establish, maintain, and operate aids to navigation, vessel traffic systems, maritime communications, and search and rescue facilities along the river.
Further, the PCG is mandated to enforce laws and promulgate and administer rules and regulations for the protection of the marine environment and resources from offshore sources of pollution, and grant, within the capabilities and consistent with its mandate, requests for assistance of other government agencies in the performance of their functions.
For its part, the MMDA shall continue to operate and maintain the Pasig River Ferry Service to and from Pinagbuhatan, Pasig City, and Escolta, Manila, and shall utilize its rescue boats for disaster-related activities under its public safety mandate for Metro Manila commuters.
Previously, the PCG conducts the same tasks through its Memorandum Circular 05-07 titled "Pasig River Safety, Security and the Governance of its Ecosystem" dated 7 January 2014.