/PNA
MANILA — More than 15,000 passengers are stranded in different ports nationwide early Friday due to Tropical Depression “Usman”.
In its advisory, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said that a total of 15,788 passengers; 1,464 rolling cargoes; 114 vessels and 24 motor bancas were stranded in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Southern Visayas and Northern Mindanao as of 4 AM.
“All Philippine Coast Guard units are advised to ensure strict implementation of HPCG Memorandum Circular Number 02-13 (Guidelines on Movement of Vessels during Heavy Weather),” according to the Coast Guard.
Based on the PCG’s guidelines, 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.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its latest weather bulletin that “Usman” may intensify into a tropical storm prior to landfall over Eastern Samar tonight.
Moderate to heavy rains which may trigger flooding and landslides is expected over Visayas, Bicol Region, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and Quezon.