LEGAZPI CITY – A total of 2, 450 passengers, 150 rolling cargoes, and five vessels are still stranded in 12 ports in the Bicol Region due to Tropical Storm Kristine, the Office of Civil Defense-Bicol (OCD-5) said on Tuesday.
Kristine was 390 km east of Daet, Camarines Norte as of 5 p.m., state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 was raised in Catanduanes, the eastern portion of Camarines Norte (Basud, Daet, Talisay, Vinzons, Paracale, Mercedes), eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Caramoan, Presentacion, Garchitorena, Tinambac, Siruma, Lagonoy, Goa, San Jose, Saglay, Tigaon), the eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Malinao, Tiwi), and the eastern portion of Sorsogon (Barcelona, Gubat, Prieto Diaz).
Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands, the rest of Camarines Norte, the rest of Camarines Sur, the rest of Albay, and the rest of Sorsogon are under TCWS No. 1.
“We are receiving continuous reports as to the affected areas. Seventeen barangays are already flooded and one had a rain-induced landslide,” Gremil Alexis Naz, OCD-5 spokesperson, said.
Naz also said six local roads and bridges were affected by the storm, three of which are not passable to all types of vehicles, while three are one-lane passable.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-5 raised its alert status to full readiness.
PRO-5 director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said the heightened alert is part of a coordinated effort involving multiple agencies to minimize risks, with focus on saving lives, protecting property, and ensuring the safety of vulnerable communities.
He said the Reactionary Standby Support Force, Quick Response Team and Search and Rescue Teams have been fully mobilized.
“These units are on standby, ready to assist local government units in evacuating residents from low-lying and flood-prone areas, where the risk of landslides, flash floods, and storm surges is significantly high,” he said.
The Critical Incident Monitoring Team was likewise activated to maintain 24/7 surveillance over critical areas, continuously assessing real-time developments.
Dizon urged the public to stay informed by regularly checking weather bulletins, following the advice of local authorities and adhering to evacuation orders when issued. (PNA)