THE COAST Guard District Southeastern Mindanao (CGDSEM) recently concluded a comprehensive seminar and on-the-job training (OJT) program to prepare them for deputization and help enforce traffic laws.
Led by Coast Guard Ensign John Paul V. Estilo, members of the Special Action and Intelligence and Committee for Transportation (SAICT) team, learned advanced skills and knowledge essential for effectively combating illegal transport activities, or colorum operations, in Southeastern Mindanao.
The hands-on OJT component allowed trainees to apply their learnings in real-world scenarios, ensuring their readiness for deployment.
Speaking in yesterday’s Davao Peace and Security press briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Ensign Ronald Garcia, the operations chief of Coast Guard Davao Station, said the initiative demonstrates the strong collaboration between the CGDSEM, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to ensure the safety of road users.
Garcia said, “We have received directives from the Department of Transportation Office to coordinate with the LTO regarding the augmentation of the SAICT.”
“So we have personnel as of now who are undergoing on-the-job training and hopefully they will finish next month for this training after that, this personnel consists of one officer and 10 personnel to be augmented to the LTO and these personnel will be assigned in the road to help our LTO in providing traffic security, like what the DOTR are doing right now in National Capital Region,” Garcia explained.
“We are deputized to apprehend and issue tickets, and are also included in our new mandate in the Coast Guard,” he added.
With the enhanced training and deployment of SAICT personnel, Garcia said the public can anticipate increased enforcement efforts against colorum operations, contributing to a safer and more organized transportation system in Southeastern Mindanao.
