Passengers stranded in port

THE cancellation of sea voyages stranded many passengers in Cebu City and Bogo City in the north.

In Cebu City, the city government’s legislative building was used to accommodate families who were stranded when the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) barred 29 sea vessels bound for Leyte, Ilo-ilo and Cagayan de Oro from sailing.

Ship passengers who were not able to sail yesterday were taken care of by the Cebu City Social Welfare and Development Office.

At least 22 families stayed at the City Hall legislative building and were given packed meals, mats and blankets. They will stay until it is safe for them to travel, said Luisa Mahusay, a social worker.

Bogo City had three families who evacuated to the sports complex in barangay Taytayan while over 100 passengers stranded at the Polambato wharf were taken to the sports complex.

It was not only marginal fishermen and passenger vessels who were not allowed to sail. Lt. JG Janus Sabas, deputy commander of the PCG Cebu station, said that around 10 rolling cargo vesseles were stranded.

When suspension of sea travel was announced at 5 a.m. yesterday, people were no longer allowed at the passenger terminal.

Commodore William Melad, PCG Central Visayas commander, said they suspended the issuance of terminal fees, designated anchorage areas for ships, directed cargo-handling service providers to ensure safety of their cranes and avoided piling of containers. Tarpaulins around CPA were rolled down and tents were dismantled.

Meanwhile, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) Chairman Winston Ginez announced that all roll-on, roll-off (Roro) vessels are prohibited from leaving ports in Matnog, Sorsogon, Leyte, Batangas and Mindoro.

He also issued a cease and desist order to all provincial buses operating Roro routes in Visayas and Mindanao./Doris Bongcac, Michelle Joy L. Padayhag