DUMAGUETE CITY – Some shipping lines in the nearby island-province of Siquijor have already cancelled their trips to Dumaguete City hours ahead of the projected arrival of Tropical Depression “Samuel” in the region.
Lt. Junior Grade Donna Liza Duran-Ramacho, provincial director of Philippine Coast Guard-Siquijor, said on Monday that the shipping lines took the initiative to suspend their trips even though the country’s weather bureau, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), has not yet hoisted Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 over Siquijor and Negros Oriental.
“Ang mga gagmayng barko ang na cancel ang trips (the smaller vessels cancelled their trips) starting 2 p.m. with the shipping lines making the decision,” she said.
The cancelled trips from Siquijor included those of Montenegro, Aleson, Ocean Jet, and Jaylan shipping lines, she added.
PAGASA announced in its 11 a.m. Severe Weather Bulletin #4 the possibility of raising Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 over Negros Oriental, Siquijor, and Cebu, as Tropical Depression Samuel was making its way from Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur to the Visayas region.
All types of sea travel are automatically cancelled once Signal No. 1 has been raised in an area.
Ramacho explained that even if the Public Storm Warning Signal does not cover the point of origin, but covers the point of destination, then trips are to be suspended.
Meanwhile, the Maayo Shipping Lines based in Negros Oriental has announced that operations are still normal until such time that PAGASA hoists the Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1.
Dante Uymatiao, proprietor of Maayo Shipping Lines, assured that if by 5 p.m. the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 is hoisted in Negros Oriental, they will immediately cancel all trips.
Maayo Shipping Lines’ vessels ply the Negros Oriental-Cebu routes as well as Cebu to Siquijor.
