PCG cancels sea travel in areas under storm signals
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The Philippine Coast Guard has canceled sea travel in areas under storm Signal Numbers 1 and 2 due to Typhoon Chedeng.
Hundreds of passengers are stranded in various seaports in Batangas and Bicol as of Saturday, April 4, according to Seawoman First Bracero of the PCG.
Almost 600 passengers and 18 vessels were stranded in various ports in Luzon, mostly in the Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions.
The affected ports are in Virac, San Andres and Pandan in Catanduanes; Pasacao, Sabang, Guijalo, Balatan Tamban, Nato, and Camaligan in Camarines Sur; and those in Camarines Norte, Isabela, Aurora, Quirino, and Quezon.
Netizens who have spent their vacation in Bicol, Quezon, and Batangas are also reported being stranded in seaports.
@MovePH @rapplerdotcom weather is okay. No signs of Chedeng hr! PCG is not allowing us to travel whl d weather is OK. pic.twitter.com/2wmEhInhpr
— oreo (@rj_aguirre) April 4, 2015
@MovePH @rapplerdotcom my family was stranded in Cagbalete,Quezon.ayaw na sila payagan umalis.pano sila ma evacuate.ok pa naman daw weather.
— Kattttt B. (@katbalamban) April 4, 2015
The PCG said it has deployed afety inspectors to ensure no maritime vessels would sail in the affected areas during the typhoon. It also warned ship owners to abide by the agency’s regulations on ship movements during bad weather.
Under the existing guidelines of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), the mother agency of PCG, all maritime vessels are not allowed to sail and barred from leavings port terminals when a public storm warning signals are raised.
"If a shipping vessel is caught by public storm warning in the middle of the sea, it should take shelter immediately and not risk the lives of its passengers," it said.
State weather bureau PAGASA has hoisted storm warning Signal Number 2 over the following provinces: Isabela, Southern Cagayan, Kalinga, Mt Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Aurora, and Catanduanes.
Meanwhile, the following areas are under storm Signal Number 1: The rest of Cagayan, including Babuyan Island, Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, La Union, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur. – Rappler.com
