by Cindy Ferrer/PNA
ILOILO CITY – -A total of 854 passengers remain stranded in the different sea ports and terminals in Panay island after the entire region was placed under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 due to Tropical Depression Usman Friday.
Lt. Commander Ramil Palabrica, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard-Western Visayas, (PCG-6), in an interview, said that majority of the boat trips in Panay were canceled Friday morning.
As of 4 p.m., 743 passengers were stranded in Lapuz Wharf in this city and Dumangas Port in Dumangas, Iloilo after the trips of fast craft vessels plying between Iloilo City and Bacolod City and roll-on roll-off vessels plying between Dumangas and Bacolod City remained canceled.
There were also 96 passengers stranded at the Caticlan Jetty Port in Aklan and 15 in Culasi Port in Roxas City, Capiz.
“They are being attended to by the concerned agencies and local government units especially their food” he said.
Meanwhile, Palabrica said that motor banca trips from Iloilo City to Guimaras and vice versa, continue with their operations but only until 6:00 p.m. Friday.
However, he said that they have reduced the boat passenger capacity to 75 percent to ensure the safety of the travel.
Palabrica advised the public to continue checking weather advisories before they travel as trips may get suspended.
He said that he cannot determine yet if when the boat trips will be resumed because the weather in most areas here still remain not manageable and unsafe for sea travel.
Based on the 5 p.m. advisory from the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council 6 (Western Visayas), Usman continues to move erratically over the Philippine Sea and is expected to make a landfall over Eastern Samar between tonight or early morning of Saturday.
Public, especially those living near river channels and in low-lying and mountain areas, are advised to take appropriate measures against possible flooding and landslides.
Fisherfolks are encouraged not to venture into fishing to ensure their safety.
Usman is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) between evening of December 30 or morning of December 31.
