LPA stuck in PH brings more rain, thunderstorm

A low pressure area (LPA) that seems to have been stuck over eastern parts of the country continues to bring rains and thunderstorms, prompting the state weather bureau to reiterate flood and landslide warnings.

As of early Thursday afternoon, the LPA was spotted 310 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Pagasa said the LPA will bring cloudy skies and heavy rains and thunderstorms to the Caraga region.

Pagasa also predicted light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over the Bicol Region, Visayas and Northern Mindanao. “Residents are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures,” it said.

Stuck in PH

The LPA has been in the Philippine area of responsibility for nearly two weeks now, moving up and down eastern provinces with no other weather system pushing it outward.

Pagasa said small boats should not be brought out to sea in areas affected by the LPA.

The LPA is being linked to the grounding of interisland passenger vessels and a cargo ship ran early Thursday in three areas in the Visayas.

Commander Armand Balilo, Coast Guard spokesperson, identified the grounded ferries as MV Joyful Stars and MV Lady of All Nations, which belong to the Roble and Medallion Transport shipping firms, both based in Cebu City.

In a phone interview, he said Coast Guard rescue vessels are “currently attending” to the passengers and crew of the two vessels.

The grounded cargo ship MV Subic Bay, operated by Carlos Gothong Lines, is “being assisted by a company tug,” the Coast Guard said.

Search and rescue

The vessel, which has a 61-man crew, was on its way to Cebu from Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, when it ran aground near Bantolinao Point in Lapu-Lapu City shortly after midnight.

Like MV Subic Bay, ferry Joyful Stars also ran aground in the vicinity of Bantolinao Point, according to Balilo.

The ferry was carrying 237 passengers and was headed for Cebu from the Hilongos port in Leyte.

Lady of All Nations, which has 90 passengers, ran aground past midnight near the Danajon Bank in Bohol.

Two search-and-rescue crafts have been sent to the area by the Coast Guard station in Tagbilaran City.

Joyful Stars and Lady of All Nations are among more than 200 vessels plying interisland routes, mostly in the Visayas and Mindanao, according to the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) records.

Roble Shipping operates seven passenger ships, five of which are roll-on, roll-off vessels, 10 cargo ships and four tugboats.

Medallion Transport also has seven vessels in its fleet, all of which carry both passengers and cargo. In June 2013, one of its passenger-cargo ships, Lady of Mt. Carmel, sank off Burias island in Masbate. With reports from Jhunnex Napallacan and Jani Arnaiz, Inquirer Visayas