THE COAST Guard Station Davao will activate the Matina Aplaya substation in Punta Dumalag on Sept. 19. This addition aims to enhance focus on maritime activities and environmental protection in the area.
Speaking at the Davao Peace and Security press briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Ensign Winston Gonzales, deputy commander of the Davao Coast Guard Station, announced the activation of their sevencth substation.
“The Coast Guard Davao aims to establish a sub-station in every coastal barangay in the city,” Gonzales said. “We are strategically mounting these sub-stations on a point-to-point basis, following thorough studies.”
He emphasized that increased Coast Guard presence will deter illegal activities and enable them to protect the marine environment better.
“Matina Aplaya is particularly special because it houses the pawikan sanctuary in Dumalag’s Aboitiz area,” Gonzales explained. “Additionally, we need to safeguard the numerous fishcages in the vicinity. The area also attracts many beachgoers and hosts various maritime activities.”
The new substation’s boundary will lie between Matina Aplaya and the Coast Guard substation in Sta. Ana.
“From north to south, we now have substations in Lasang, Ilang, Sasa, Kilometer 11, Sta. Ana, Daliao (Toril district), and the new Matina Aplaya,” he said.
Gonzales further explained the need for two substations in Sasa and Km. 11, despite their proximity. “The high volume of maritime traffic, especially with passenger vessels using Maywest and Davson ports, necessitates this.”
He also mentioned that additional sub-stations will be activated and inaugurated before the year’s end, further strengthening their focus on coastal barangays and maritime activities.
The inauguration ceremony will be led by Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao commander Commodore Rejard Marfe at 9 a.m.
Photo by Rhoda Grace Saron
