Over 800 passengers stranded in Luzon, Visayas ports

MANILA, Philippines — Over 800 passengers were stranded in various ports in Luzon and Visayas on Tuesday morning after Tropical Depression Gener and the southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” disrupted sea trips, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

In an advisory, the PCG said stranded passengers, truck drivers, and cargo helpers were monitored in Southern Tagalog, Bicol region, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas ports from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.

“The PCG monitored 832 passengers, truck drivers, and cargo helpers, 15 vessels, 453 rolling cargoes, and 11 motorbancas stranded, while 11 vessels and 12 motorbancas in Eastern Visayas, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, and Western Visayas regions,” it said.

Of the 832 stranded individuals, 674 are in Eastern Visayas, 140 in Southern Tagalog, and 18 in Bicol.

According to the state weather bureau, Gener was last spotted looming over Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya.

It is forecast “to emerge over the coastal waters of Ilocos Sur or La Union” within the day.

It is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility between Tuesday night and Wednesday (18 September) morning.

In the next 12 hours, the tropical depression may weaken into a low-pressure area as it continues to interact with the rugged terrain of Northern Luzon.