7,000 stranded in various seaports; local flights canceled

ADDED ROAD DANGER Residents inspect a tricycle hit by a fallen acacia tree in Legazpi City on Saturday. Three passengers were hurt. —Tine Azuelo

MANILA, Philippines — Almost 7,000 passengers were stranded in various seaports in the country on Saturday as the state weather bureau hoisted tropical cyclone signals in at least 17 areas across the Philippines due to Tropical Depression “Aghon.”

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported in a maritime safety advisory on Saturday that a total of 6,833 passengers were stranded in seaports with 2,755 individuals stuck in the Eastern Visayas region, 1,997 in Bicol, 1,081 in Southern Tagalog, 695 in Central Visayas and 305 in Northeastern Mindanao.

According to the PCG, 140 vessels, 1,492 rolling cargos and 25 motor bancas were either stranded or taking shelter in various seaports in the country.

READ: Tropical Depression Aghon slightly weakens — Pagasa

In a separate report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said 20 seaports were nonoperational due to Aghon.

Rear Adm. Armand Balilo, spokesperson for the PCG, said PCG Commandant Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan has ordered all units to coordinate with other rescue agencies and “observe the fastest response time in responding to maritime incidents.”

The PCG also urged sea passengers to remain vigilant and told local fisherfolk not to conduct fishing operations amid the onslaught of Aghon.

It assured the public that it would ensure a “zero maritime casualty” as Aghon hit the country.

Flights canceled

The maritime figures excluded the airline passengers affected by the cancellation of nine domestic flights around the country.

The Manila International Airport Authority said that, as off 5 p.m. Saturday, at least nine domestic flights were canceled due to bad weather.

Cebgo, the regional unit of Cebu Pacific, canceled DG 6113/6114 (Manila-Naga-Manila), DG 6839/6840 (Manila-Siargao-Manila), DG 6881/6882 (Manila-Surigao-Manila), DG 6117/6118 (Manila-Naga-Manila) and DG 6177/6178 (Manila-Masbate-Manila).

PAL Express canceled 2P 2981/2982 (Manila-Tacloban-Manila) and 2P 2671/2672 (Manila-Calbayog-Manila)

Cebu Pacific canceled 5J 821/822 (Manila-Virac-Manila) while AirSWIFT canceled T6 710/711 (Manila-Romblon-Manila).

In its 5 p.m. weather update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the center of Aghon was spotted over the coastal waters of Sibuyan Island with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph. It is moving west northwestward at 20 kph.