The Philippine Coast Guard Northeastern Mindanao (PCGNM) has intensified its pre-departure inspections in the nine major ports in the Caraga Region to ensure the safety and security of travelers.

“The activities and operations are part of the Maritime Safety Administration function of the PCGMN,” Coast Guard Captain Christopher Auro, the district commander of PCGNM, said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday.

From January to May, the PCGNM conducted 15,874 pre-departure inspections, including 45 vessel safety enforcement operations and 25 emergency readiness evaluations.

During the period, the agency recorded 585,788 inbound and 622,906 outbound passengers across the nine major ports in the region.

PCGNM also reported the conduct of search and rescue operations during the 36 maritime incidents reported in the first five months this year, wherein 226 persons were rescued, 20 persons were missing, and the recovery of 18 bodies.

Under security and law enforcement, Auro said the PCG is also mandated to implement laws in fisheries, immigration, tariffs, customs, forestry, firearms and explosives, human trafficking, dangerous drugs and chemicals, and other laws within the country’s maritime jurisdiction and battle transnational crimes.

In accordance with the mandate, the PCGNM launched 3,081 coastal security patrol operations, 258 seaborne operations, and 201 K9 paneling during the period.

PCGNM has six stations and 24 substations in various areas of the region. (PNA)