PPA TMO Balingoan, in cooperation with various agencies from the locality of Balingoan, conducted a 3-part simulation exercise (SimEx) on 26 September 2024 at the Port of Balingoan.

Dubbed as the 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧-𝘼𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙮 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙎𝙞𝙢𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙀𝙭𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙚 2024, the exercise demonstrated the coordinated efforts of various law enforcement and emergency response agencies and the private sector in managing emergency situations and showcased the preparedness and collaboration of port personnel and stakeholders. The exercise also serves to test and put into action the respective agencies’ emergency response procedures through simulated scenarios, such as emergency evacuations and response to maritime incidents, providing them opportunities to look into possible improvements to better manage crisis situations.

The first part of the SimEx consists of port security drills including 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙁𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝘼𝙣𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙐𝙨𝙚𝙧 𝙋𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙝𝙞𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙄𝙩𝙚𝙢𝙨 which aim to test the vigilance and alertness of security personnel in determining security breaches. Said drill was immediately followed by a drill on 𝙐𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝘽𝙖𝙜𝙜𝙖𝙜𝙚 where PPA port security, Coast Guard and PNP personnel worked together in identifying and handling bomb and narcotics elements. Simulating risks from real scenarios, all passengers and personnel were evacuated from the Passenger Terminal Building while PCG and PNP personnel verified and cleared the scene. Simultaneously, the 𝙄𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙩 was also established which coordinated with other emergency response agencies such as MDRRMO, PNP Maritime Police and Bureau of Fire Protection, barangay officials and local media.

The second part of the SimEx involves emergency preparedness and response drills which includes an 𝑬𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒍, 𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒍 and 𝑴𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒍 𝑬𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝑫𝒓𝒊𝒍𝒍. Incidentally, the SimEx coincides with the schedule of the 3rd Quarter 2024 National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill; as such, the earthquake drill was included and was participated by all port personnel and passengers who executed the “duck, cover and hold” procedure and immediately followed with the evacuation procedure at the designated area away from the building. The scenario progressed into a fire drill which simulated a situation where the building has caught fire due to electrical short circuit as a result of the earthquake. Fire brigade teams from PPA and cargo handling operator, PCBSI-PTMC, strived to initially contain the fire using fire extinguisher and water using fire buckets. Soon after, the fire truck of the local BFP came to totally extinguish the fire. As soon as the BFP declared fire out, the medical emergency response was activated as the First Aid Teams from both PPA and PCBSI applied first aid to three (3) injured victims. The 𝙄𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙩 coordinated the entire emergency response and turned over the casualties to the MDRRMO for transport and disposition to the nearest hospital.

The last part of the SimEx is the 𝙊𝙞𝙡 𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡 which was led by the Philippine Coast Guard. The drill involves a Tier I or Small Spill category marine oil spill that occurred onboard vessel MV Super Shuttle Ferry 24 of Asian Marine Transport Corp. The said spill occurred while conducting fuel transfer operations of fuel through lorry tanker wherein the transfer hose burst due to pressure surge. The incident was immediately reported by the Vessel Master via radio to PPA which the latter immediately cascaded to the PCG for immediate response. Meantime, the PCG also contacted the PCG Marine Environmental Protection Emergency Response Group (MRP ERU), who immediately proceeded to the spill scene to evaluate and supervise the cleanup and clearing operations. Simultaneously, the Vessel Master directed the crew to stop and contain the source of oil spill, prevent it from going overboard and execute procedures in accordance with its Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan (SOPEP). The local Shore Reception Operator likewise assisted in the disposal of the oily wastes.

The SimEx concluded with congratulatory remarks from each participating agencies highlighting the importance of united efforts and collaboration in upholding the general welfare of the public and acknowledging the inevitable minor glitches during the exercise as opportunities for improvement and valuable takeaways for navigating towards the future.

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