1K passengers, cargoes stranded in Bicol ports due to ‘Kristine’

LEGAZPI CITY – The Office of Civil Defense-Bicol (OCD-5) reported on Monday a total of 1, 007 passengers, 129 rolling cargoes, and 18 vessels stranded in 10 ports in the Bicol Region due to Tropical Depression Kristine.

This was after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 in all six provinces of the region, OCD-5 spokesperson Gremil Alexis Naz said in a phone interview.

“Based on the submitted report of the Philippine Coast Guard-5 as of 4 p.m., the 1, 007 stranded passengers are in the ports of Albay, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Sorsogon,” he said. “It is automatic that when a TCWS was raised in a province, sea travel will be suspended for the safety of the passengers and the crew and the public.”

Naz said they were at the ports of Matnog (123), Bulan (2), and Pilar (28), all in Sorsogon; Tabaco (543) and Pio Duran (245) in Albay; Virac in Catanduanes (6); and Placer (20) and Mobo (40) in Masbate.

There were also stranded rolling cargoes at Matnog port (30); Tabaco City (3) and in Pio Duran; Virac (3); and Placer and Mobo, 5 each.

Vessels stranded were in Mobo, 6; Placer, 2; Matnog, 2; Bulan, 3; Castilla, Sorsogon, 2; Pilar, 1; and Pio Duran, 2.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office-5 issued an advisory discouraging land travel to the island provinces of Catanduanes and Masbate until the TCWS is lifted.

“This is to avoid congestion of vehicles along the Maharlika Highways and ports of Matnog and Pilar in Sorsogon, and Tabaco City and Pio Duran in Albay,” Francisco Ranches Jr., LTO-5 Director, said. (PNA)

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