MANILA — More than a thousand passengers have been stranded in ports across Luzon and Visayas as Typhoon Rosita moves closer to the country, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported Monday.
In its advisory, the PCG said a total of 1,501 passengers, 126 rolling cargoes, 24 vessels and four motorbancas were stranded in the ports of Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and northern Quezon in Southern Tagalog; Camarines Sur in Bicol and Cagayan in northeastern Luzon as of Monday afternoon.
Based on the PCG’s guidelines during inclement weather, no vessel of any type or tonnage shall be allowed to sail except to take shelter, as the situation may warrant, whenever storm Signal No. 1 or higher is hoisted within its point of origin, the intended route and port of destination.
All vessels already underway shall seek shelter when any storm signal is hoisted in its immediate vicinity, along its route, and point of destination.
“It is the responsibility of the ship owner/operator and master or patron of the vessel on how to seek shelter and ensure the safety of the ship. Vessels can leave port only to take shelter and shall depart without passengers and/or cargo onboard,” PCG Memorandum 02-2013 or the Guidelines on Movement of Vessels during Heavy Weather said.
Meanwhile, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) advises passengers that all operations at the Port of Batangas are cancelled due to Typhoon Rosita as the province of Batangas is now under Signal No. 1.
Motorbanca operations in all ports in Regions 1 (Ilocos Region) and 2 (Cagayan Valley) are cancelled due to the typhoon, according to MARINA.
Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and La Union are under Signal No. 1 while Cagayan and Isabela are under Signal No. 2.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Rosita maintains its threat over the southern Isabela-northern Aurora areas as it continues to move closer.
Rosita is expected to bring moderate to heavy rains over Northern and Central Luzon. (Aerol John Pateña/PNA)
