‘Crising’ grounds flights, sea trips
Several flights and sea crossings by inter-island ferries were cancelled yesterday because of bad weather and rough seas caused by tropical depression “Crising.”
Cebu has been experiencing heavy rain since Monday night.
Philippine Coast Guard Cebu Station commander Weniel Azcuna said he temporarily stopped the sailing of vessels at the Hagnaya port in San Remegio that were bound for Sta. Fe in Bantayan Island and vice versa because of the strong waves.
The Coast Guard also suspended trips from Tangil port in Dumanjug town to Negros Occidental.
Azcuna said the decision was based on the assessment of the Coast Guard detachment commanders at different ports.
The Philippine Coast Guard has adopted the practice of local sea assessment every three hours as the basis for any decision to suspend sea voyages even if an area is not covered by storm warnings.
Azcuna said waves in waters around Cebu ranged from three to four meters high, rendering the waters rough.
Initial reports showed around 50 passengers were stranded in the Tangil port, Azcuna said.
Trips from Cebu City to ports in Bohol, Leyte and other areas remained normal.
Azcuna appealed to passengers affected by the cancellations to understand the reason why authorities had to make such decisions.
“Ang ila rang safety ang among concern,” he said. “Kung di man kaayo importante ang inyong pagbyahe, palabya sa ang epekto ni Crising sa Cebu area.”
Two flights were canceled at the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) while two other flights from Manila to Mindanao were diverted to Mactan
Mary Ann Dimabayao, public affairs manager of the MCIA, said Cebu Pacific flights 5J 867 from Cebu to Dumaguete City and 5J 205 from Cebu to Cagayan de Oro City were canceled.
Air Philippines flight 2P 939 from Manila to Ozamis City was diverted to Mactan. Cebu Pacific flight 5J 381 from Manila to Cagayan was also diverted to Mactan airport due to bad weather.
MCIA chief Nigel Paul Villarete advised passengers affected by the flight cancellations to go to their respective airlines to have their tickets rebooked.
“Rest assured that they will be protected under the air passengers bill of rights,” he said.
Rescuers on alert
Water level in Cebu City remained normal despite the continuous rain, but personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CDRRMC) have been on alert since Monday.
Alvin Santillana, CDRRMC operations head, said that they are keeping an eye especially of the coastal barangays and those located along waterways like barangays Mabolo, Guadalupe, Banilad and Kasambagan. Barangay officials in these areas have also been told to immediately alert residents to evacuate when the water level starts to rise./Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac and Correspondent Christine Emily L. Pantaleon
