LEGAZPI CITY –– At least 1,141 passengers and 14 trucks were stranded in three ports in Bicol due to Tropical Depression “Auring,” a report from the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said on Monday.
A PPA report as of 6 a.m. said 1,000 passengers bound for the Visayas were marooned in Matnog Port in Sorsogon, 132 at the Pioduran port, and nine in Tabaco port in Albay.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has raised a no-sailing policy after the state weather bureau raised signal number one in the provinces of Masbate, Sorsogon, and Albay, prompting the suspension of sea travel in the areas affected.
Outside the Matnog Port on Monday morning, 255 buses and 80 cars were in a long queue along the town highway, waiting for authorities to lift the suspension once the weather condition improves.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said in its 8 a.m. bulletin that Auring is heading towards Eastern Samar.
Moderate to heavy rains have been pouring over Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Marinduque, Romblon, and Quezon since Sunday, while light to moderate with at times heavy rains are experienced over Aurora and the rest of the Visayas, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), and Calabarzon (Cavite. Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon).