The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) posted the highest record in rendering assistance to 1.7 million people who were either ordinary stranded passengers or rescued from sinking ships or affected victims of strong typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng as it celebrated its 108th anniversary celebration.

Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, said that for the past 12 months, from October 10, 2008 to October 10, 2009, the PCG recorded that it has rendered assistance to 1.7 million people from ordinary stranded vessel passengers and sinking ships to giving relief goods to the victims of strong typhoons.

“It was during the past 12 months when we rendered the most number of assistance in the agency’s entire history because of typhoons,” he said.

The PCG observed its 108th Founding Anniversary on October 5-16 in an austere yet meaningful manner. Among the undertakings being done by PCG included search and rescue operations for the passengers of the M/V SuperFerry 9 that sank at the Zamboanga Peninsula last September 6.

Tamayo also said the PCG was actively involved in the search and rescue operations for the fishermen and passengers and crews of the distressed or capsized bancas and vessels after Ondoy struck in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog Region.

Apart from the SAR operations, the PCG also decided to give relief goods to the victims of typhoons.

While the country is still suffering from Ondoy, Pepeng wrecked havoc in Northern Luzon last Oct. 3. The PCG continued rendering assistance to affected families of typhoon Pepeng.

The PCG report showed that in the past year, they conducted 531 search and rescue missions and provided assistance to 1,717,563 people, saved 6,416 lives, recovered 623 bodies and provided assistance of 1,497 vessels.

Tamayo said they gave assistance to vessels that ran aground or when vessels encounter engine trouble. “We also gave assistance when there are passengers stranded by the typhoon, when there is a maritime accident or incident and when our personnel hand out relief goods to those who have been affected by the typhoons,” said Tamayo.

Tamayo also noted that the sea marshals onboard vessels are also tasked to provide security assistance to the passengers.

The PCG commandant also said report revealed that they have responded to 20 out of 23 cases of oil or chemical spill incidents. “The Maritime Pollution (Marpol) team was able to respond to 20 of these 23 incidents. They have been part of 308 coastal clean up wherein they collected 388 tons and 732 sacks of garbage,” he said.