By Aerol John Pateña – PNA News
MANILA — More than 8,000 passengers were stranded in ports across the country early Wednesday due to the inclement weather brought by Tropical Depression “Samuel”.
In its advisory, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said a total of 8,688 passengers, 1,250 rolling cargoes, 206 vessels and 48 motorbancas were stranded in the National Capital Region, Southern Tagalog, Palawan, Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Southern Visayas and Northern Mindanao as of 4 a.m.
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.
“Samuel” has slightly weakened and is now over the Visayan Sea and heading towards the province of Iloilo, according to the latest weather bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Moderate to heavy rains, which may trigger flooding and landslides, sre expected over Western Visayas, Bicol Region, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), and southern Quezon.
