Dragon boat races in Boracay suspended
Credit to Author: EIREENE JAIREE GOMEZ| Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2019 16:32:41 +0000
THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) on Friday announced the temporary suspension of all dragon boat race activities in Boracay after seven members of a local-based dragon boat group drowned in an accident.
“We are temporarily suspending all dragon boat race activities in Boracay, including practice and training, until we have assessed their practice protocols,” Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu said in a statement.
Such activities are “postponed for the time being until emergency protocols are thoroughly scrutinized,” said Cimatu, also chairman of the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF).
He said all agencies involved in emergency rescue and response were scheduled to meet on Monday, September 30, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of protocols, logistics and resources, and come up with recommendations to address gaps subject to the approval of the BIATF.
These include the local government of Malay and its Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Philippine National Police Maritime Group, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Tourism, and the local dragon boat associations and other water sports associations in the Philippines.
Cimatu earlier expressed his sympathy to the victims and their families, as he promised that emergency response programs would be strengthened in Boracay to prevent a similar tragedy.
On Wednesday, seven members of the Boracay Dragon Force died, while 14 others were injured when the boat they were rowing capsized off Boracay Island. The group was training for an upcoming international competition in Taiwan.
According to reports, the boat capsized after it was hit by large swells of waves originating from the sudden violent gusts of wind before the dragon boat racers reached the third bay of Tulubhan
Beach in Barangay Manocmanoc.
It was also reported that members of the team were not wearing life vests and one of the paddlers did not know how to swim.
The local government of Malay, Aklan and partner agencies have extended their support to the bereaved families, offering financial assistance, stress debriefing, cadaver management and security.