1,500 passengers stranded in Bicol ports due to Tropical Depression ’Samuel’

Close to 1,500 passengers were stranded in Bicol ports, after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) enforced a “no-sailing policy” due to Tropical Depression “Samuel,” the Office of Civil Defense said.

Also stranded were 204 cargo trucks, and 41 sea vessels and boats.

As of 9 a.m., Sorsogon has 1,187 stranded passengers in Matnog and Pilar towns.

In Albay, 127 were stranded in the ports of Legazpi and Pio Duran; 108 in Bapor, Masbate; and 34 in Pasacao, Camarines Sur.

Claudio Yucot, OCD regional director, also directed local disaster councils to advise fishermen not to sail because of rough seas and big waves caused by strong winds brought by Samuel.

In their 8 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, Astronomical Services Administration, said Samuel has maintained its strength as it moved closer toward the Dinagat-Samar-Leyte Area.