By Cindy Ferrer/PNA
ILOILO CITY — Sea travel in various parts of Western Visayas were suspended Tuesday morning after the entire region was placed under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 due to Tropical Depression Samuel.
Lt. Commander Ramil Palabrica, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard-Western Visayas, (PCG-6), in an interview, said the cancellation of trips left 321 passengers stranded, particularly in different port terminals in Panay island.
As of 1 p.m., 121 passengers were stranded at the Dumangas Port in Dumangas Iloilo after trips of five roll-on roll-off vessels plying between Dumangas and Bacolod City were canceled.
There are also 75 stranded passengers in Lapuz Wharf in this city; 50 in Caticlan Jetty Port; 35 in Estancia Port in Estancia, Iloilo; 24 at the New Iloilo Ferry Terminal in this city; 10 in Culasi Port in Roxas City; and six in RJL Pier, Caluya, Antique.
Palabrica said they have already reported the information to the 24/7 operation center of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council 6 and the various local government units concerned and line agencies of the government that are now attending to the needs of stranded passengers especially their food.
“We assure that these passengers are being taken care of,” he said.
Meanwhile, Palabrica said motor banca trips plying from Iloilo City to Guimaras and vice versa, and trips from Caticlan Port to Boracay Island continue with their operations.
He clarified that these identified “special areas” can continue their operations because these are short distance trips or only about 15 minutes of boat travel to their destination.
He, however, said that the trips will only be allowed until 6 p.m. Tuesday and with passenger capacity of only 75 percent of the regular number of passengers.
Palabrica advised the public to check weather advisories before they travel as the suspension of trips may continue as “Samuel” is expected to directly hit the region starting Wednesday.
He noted that the suspension of trips will not be lifted while the region and their points of destination remain under storm warning signal and if the weather is still not manageable and unsafe for sea travel.
He further advised small fishermen to avoid venturing into the seas this week to ensure their safety.
