‘Ramon’ strands 1,597 passengers in Allen, Northern Samar ports

TACLOBAN CITY –– Close to 1,600 passengers were stranded at the different seaports of Allen town, Northern Samar due to Tropical Depression “Ramon.”

At least 1,597 passengers on board 271 vehicles were stranded at the ports of Balwharteco, Kinabranan, and Jubasan since Wednesday afternoon as signal number one was hoisted in the province due to the threat of Ramon.

The Coast Guard prohibited all vessels, including motorboats, from sailing since Wednesday.

At the Balwharteco Port in Barangay Looc, 728 passengers aboard 95 vehicles were stranded, while 151 passengers and 49 vehicles were also not allowed by the Coast Guard to sail.

At the Jubasan Port, 178 passengers and 127 vehicles were also stranded.

All the passengers were bound for Luzon.

Rei Josiah Echano, the provincial disaster risk reduction management officer, said they were on blue alert even though the storm was not felt much in the province.

This means that all frontline offices like the provincial social welfare office were on alert to any eventuality that may result due to Ramon.

Vice Governor Gary Lavin, the acting governor, canceled all classes at all levels in the province on Wednesday but this was lifted on Thursday except those at the Kindergarten level.