Thousands stranded in Bicol, Eastern Visayas ports due to Urduja

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – About 4,000 passengers were stranded at ports in Bicol and Eastern Visayas after sea trips were cancelled on Thursday, December 14, due to Tropical Storm Urduja.

Reports reaching the Philippine Coast Guard showed that 3,487 passengers were stranded as of 12 pm:

• 2,467 passengers, Port Matnog in Sorsogon
• 326, Port of Tabaco, Albay
• 346 passengers, Port of Virac, Catanduanes
• 3, Port of Rapurapu
• 298, Port of Looc, Romblon
• 10, Port of Pioduran
• 10, Port of Bacacay
• 10, Port of Bulan, Sorsogon
• 40, Port of Pilar
• 4, Port of Virac, Catanduanes
• 17, Port of San Andres
• 17, Port of Bapor
• 4, Port of Cawayan
• 20, Port of San Pascual
• 19, Port of Pasacao 
• 114, Port of Jubusan, Catbalogan, Samar 
• 258, Port of San Isidro, Northern Samar 
• 3, Port of Ormoc, Southern Leyte
• 18, Port of Isabel 
• 79, Port of Liloan
• 20, Port of San Ricardo
• 95, Port of Dapdap

Thirty-four vessels, 561 rolling cargoes, and 25 motor boats were also stranded in the two regions. Most of them were at Port of Matnog (294) and at Port of Virac (13).

Also affected were the ports of Ormoc, Isabel, Bato, Liloan, San Ricardo, and Dapdap in Eastern Visayas; and the ports of Masbate, San Jacinto, Pilar, Roxas City,  Pasacao, and San Pascual in Bicol.

The provinces of Eastern Samar, Samar, and Biliran were under signal number 2, while Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Northern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, northern Cebu including Bantayan Island, Capiz, Aklan, and northern Iloilo were under signal number 1.

“No vessel of any type or tonnage shall be allowed to sail, except to take shelter, as the situation may warrant, when Public Storm Warning Signal Number 1 or higher is hoisted within its point of origin, the intended route, and point of destination,” Headquarter PCG Memorandum Circular 02-13 reads. – Rappler.com 

Image of Allen Port from Wikimedia