Over 500 families evacuated, passengers marooned as ‘Quinta’ nears Bicolandia

LEGAZPI CITY — At least 532 families from two provinces were evacuated while 662 passengers were stranded in local ports on Sunday as Tropical Storm Quinta threatens the Bicol region.

In Guinobatan, Albay, Mayor Gemma Ongjoco has ordered evacuation of 521 families or 1,747 persons from Barangays Maninila and Tandarora, both considered as lahar – prone areas.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Bicol regional office also reported that 11 families or 42 persons were evacuated in Canaman,  Camarines Sur.

Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte has ordered preemptive and forced evacuation of families in landslide and flood-prone areas.

According to the Philippine Coast Guard – Bicol, as of 4 a.m., 38 passengers in Albay, 519 in Sorsogon and 105 in Masbate remain stranded in seaports after the cancellation of trips.