1,267 passengers stranded as ‘Bebeng’ threatens Bicol

NAGA CITY, Philippines—A total of 1,267 passengers were stranded in various Bicol ports, the biggest number of them in Tabaco, Albay, after public storm signal No. 2 was raised over Albay, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon and Catanduanes as tropical depression “Bebeng” intensified into a storm, the Coast Guard in the region said Saturday.

Lt. Lawrence Tamayo, operations officer of Coast Guard-Bicol, said that as of 5 p.m., 575 people were stranded in Tabaco, 5 in Legazpi and 35 in Pio Duran, all in Albay; In Matnog there were 170, Bulan-234, Pilar-90, all in Sorsogon; Cataingan-17, Milagros-10, all in Masbate; Sabang, Camarines Sur-115; San Andres, Catanduanes-16.

The number of stranded included boat and bus passengers as the Coast Guard stopped all ferry crossings.

In its 5 p.m. forecast, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said ‘Bebeng’ was threatening the Bicol Region with its center located 220 kilometers east of Legazpi City and with maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour and moving northwest at 13 kph.

The Environment Disaster Management and Emergency Response Office (Edmero) in Camarines Sur and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (PDRMMO) in Camarines Norte have been continuously monitoring the coastal, low-lying and mountainous areas, disaster officials said.

Che Bermejo of Edmero said advisories have been sent all over the province of Camarines Sur, particularly to areas of concern like Siruma town, which is prone to isolation during heavy and continuous rainfall due to its easily damaged roads.

Carlos C. Galvez, PDRRMO head of Camarines Norte, said they have already alerted the local executives there should there be a need for the evacuation of residents within the next several hours.

He said they have readied their stockpile of relief goods and medicines in case an evacuation is ordered.