by John Rey Saavedra/PNA
CEBU CITY — More than 2,000 passengers are stranded in different areas of Central Visayas as Tropical Depression Usman keeps its strength while approaching Eastern Samar, the Philippine Coast Guard-Cebu Station reported Friday afternoon.
Lt. Junior Grade Michael Encina, PCG-Central Visayas spokesperson, said their office was able to record at least 1,871 passengers stranded in seven domestic ports in Cebu Province, while 203 passengers in a pier in eastern side of Bohol.
Encina said there are at least 26 passenger vessels in Cebu ordered grounded while the weather station in Mactan Island continues to monitor the tropical depression’s movement towards Eastern Samar.
The coast guard station in Bohol is yet to submit a list of passenger vessels the maritime authorities held in the time being due to bad weather.
Around 95 cargo vessels in Cebu and seven in Bohol were also ordered not to sail, said Encina.
He said there were also 19 sea crafts scheduled to sail Thursday and Friday but took shelter due to bad weather.
Coast Guard Cebu district duty operations officer Apprentice Seaman Alvin Madjos told the Philippine News Agency that most of the passengers stranded were travelling to areas where “Usman” is likely to hit.
Madjos said the ports affected by the suspension of sea travel are the local ports of Tabuelan, Toledo, San Remegio, and Piers 1 and 3 in the city.
According to Madjos, the vessels now docking at Piers 1 and 3 are bound for Surigao, Iloilo, Calbayog in Samar, Ormoc, Masbate, and Manila.
In Ubay, Bohol, vessels travelling to Ormoc have also been ordered to suspend their trips, Madjos said.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, in its 2 p.m. weather advisory, reported that “Usman” is expected to make landfall over Eastern Samar Friday night.
It projected moderate to heavy rains which may trigger flooding and landslides in the Visayas, Bicol Region, Mindoro Provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and Quezon on Friday.
“Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rains is also expected over Calabarzon, Aurora, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas and Central Visayas tomorrow (December 29),” the advisory said.
Usman is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility between Sunday evening and Monday morning, the weather bulletin said.
