ILOILO CITY, Aug.4 — Boats which travel back and forth between Iloilo and Guimaras, may be cancelled anytime on Friday due to heavy rains, according to Lieutenant Commander Ramil Palabrica of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Iloilo.
Palabrica said they already cancelled the boat trips twice Friday morning. Trips were first cancelled around 8:10 a.m due to heavy rains but resumed around 8:45 a.m when the rainfall weakened.
The trips were again cancelled at 11:30 a.m and went back at 11:45 a.m. for the same reason.
“The trips are now ongoing but anytime the rain will pour heavily and there will be zero visibility of the island of Guimaras, expect that we will again automatically cancel the sea trips,” he said.
“Also, if gale warning or typhoon signal will be hoisted here, boat trips will be cancelled,” he added.
Operators are currently still allowing 100 percent of the passenger boat capacity but Palabrica said that they they will reduce the boat capacity to 75 percent this evening to ensure the safety of passengers.
Meanwhile, operations of fastcraft traveling between Iloilo and Bacolod are ongoing.
Latest weather update from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) shows that parts of the country is currently experiencing heavy rains brought by a tropical depression outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), Palabrica said.
Palabrica reminded the public to continue monitoring weather updates through radio, television, social media, among others.
He also reminded the passengers to ensure safety when traveling.
Boat operators are strictly advised to comply with safety requirements, especially the provisions of life jackets to all passengers and check their boat engines before departure.
Palabica here further assured that coast guard personnel are on standby to respond to any untoward incidents.(Cindy B. Ferrer/PNA)
