ILOILO CITY — Boat trips to and from Northern Iloilo on Friday were still cancelled due to tropical storm Urduja.
PCG-Iloilo commander Lt. Ramil Palabrica said in an interview that the cancellation of the trips started Thursday afternoon after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed the area under Storm Signal No. 1.
“When there is a storm signal on the point of destination, there should be no movement of vessel,” Palabrica said.
“This is to secure the safety of our passengers,” he added.
The cancellation covers boat trips from Ajuy, Iloilo bound for Victorias City, Negros Occidental and Estancia, Iloilo bound for Masbate.
It also covers all the boat trips from any ports in Iloilo bound to Northern Cebu, also under Storm Signal No. 1.
“We are observing the weather and waiting for the update of Pagasa because they also might place the entire Iloilo under Storm Signal Number 1,” Palabrica said.
Boats travelling from Iloilo City bound for Guimaras and for Bacolod City, and back from both destinations were ongoing.
Palabrica advised the public to be vigilant and to monitor weather update before they schedule their travel.
Boat operators are advised to comply with safety requirements like providing life jackets to all passengers and ensuring the engines are functioning well.
In a bulletin issued by Pagasa as of 11 a.m., Signal Number One was hoisted over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands, Romblon, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu, Capiz, Aklan, Northern Iloilo and Dinagat Island. (PNA)
