SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — Passenger vessels from Antique to various destinations resumed operations after a gale warning was lifted on Thursday, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) here.
In a press conference, Seaman First Class Bernard Romanes of the Antique PCG said that there is no more gale warning so passenger vessels are now being permitted to continue plying their routes.
The warning was issued on July 17 due to the effects of the southwest monsoon. On that day, the PCG Antique advised owners of 15-ton sea vessels and fishermen to refrain from venturing out to sea.
A gale warning is issued if there is an unusual strong wind that could affect sea travel.
“The 15 gross ton passenger vessels are now being allowed to operate,” he said.
The gale warning caused passenger vessels going to Lipata Port in Culasi to Caluya island; Semirara to Caluya mainland; Semirara to Occidental Mindoro and Semirara to Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro to temporarily stop their operations.
Meanwhile, light vehicles have been allowed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to traverse Antique to Iloilo via Barangay Igbucagay in Hamtic.
This portion suffered road depression due to the enhanced southwest monsoon rains on Monday.
Leoderick Benitez of the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said that the area in Igbucay and its neighboring Maalan and Caromangay are prone to liquefaction because of the fault line . (Annabel Consuelo Petinglay/PNA)
