ISABELA CITY, Basilan — Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard once again demonstrated swift humanitarian response after rescuing and assisting a mother who gave birth aboard a motorbanca while traveling at sea from Malamawi Island to mainland Isabela City.
According to reports, a 35-year-old woman from Barangay Diki, Malamawi Island, suddenly went into labor while being transported aboard a motorbanca en route to the Basilan Medical Center in Isabela City. Despite the challenging situation at sea, the mother successfully delivered her baby while still on board the vessel.
Upon receiving information regarding the emergency, the Philippine Coast Guard through Coast Guard Station Isabela immediately coordinated with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for emergency medical response and ambulance assistance.
At the same time, Coast Guard Station Isabela activated its Quick Response Team (QRT) to provide immediate transportation, medical, and humanitarian assistance to both the mother and her newborn child.
Responding personnel from the CDRRMO promptly arrived at the area where the patient and the infant were safely transferred from the motorbanca to an ambulance before being rushed to Basilan Medical Center for proper medical attention and postnatal care.
Authorities said the successful emergency response highlighted the dedication and readiness of Coast Guard personnel and local disaster responders in safeguarding lives, especially during critical and life-threatening situations.
The operation also underscored the importance of inter-agency coordination in delivering immediate humanitarian assistance to residents in island communities, where access to emergency medical services often depends on maritime transportation.
The Philippine Coast Guard reaffirmed its commitment to continuously provide prompt emergency response, humanitarian assistance, and public safety services to communities across the country, particularly in remote coastal and island areas.