Prov’l Government’s Oplan SUMVAC Protects Beachgoers at Lingayen Beach

Lingayen- - -Beachgoers who will troop to the Capitol beach area are now assured of their safety and protection following the launching of a more systematize project on public safety dubbed OPLAN Summer Vacation (SUMVAC).

Oplan SUMVAC Alay ni Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. is an innovative program which focuses on search-rescue and medical assistance of all beachgoers who frolic along Capitol beach this summer aimed at achieving “zero casualty.” 

Col. Fernando de Guzman, OIC-Executive Officer of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), said that thousands of visitors flocked to the beach since SUMVAC kicked off last April 2 with the highest influx of beachgoers during the Lenten holiday (April 5 to 8) specifically last Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday.

Various line agencies and groups such as the PNP, Philippine Coast Guard, Provincial Health Office- PHERT, General Services Office, and WASAR comprised the team with the involvement of all offices in the provincial government. 

The public assistance center caters to the safety and health of all beachgoers as doctors, nurses and medical personnel are regularly assigned in the area on a 24-hour basis along with the deployed PNP personnel. Lost and found items or persons specifically children are also reported and monitored in the assistance center.

 The project will continue until the duration of the Summer Triple Treat (Pangasinan Day, Pistay Dayat and Palarong Pambansa 2012) where hordes of visitors are expected to troop to the beach.

Meanwhile, Lingayen Gulf became a scene to behold last April 5 around 9am as a whale shark (butanding) was sighted within the Maniboc area and accidentally caught by local fisherfolks.

 “Aksidente po na sumabit ang butanding sa fishnet ng mga mangingisda pero pinakawalan din ito agad sa dagat. Napakagandang experience po sa mga Pangasinense at mga bisita ang pagkakapadpad ng butanding sa ating karagatan,” the PDRRMC OIC said even as he added that the sighting served as an added attraction for the beachgoers.