‘Marce’ strands 800 at Cebu port

Passengers wait at the Cebu port in this file photo taken in October 2015. INQUIRER FILE / CDN / JUNJIE MENDOZA

CEBU CITY — Close to 800 passengers were stranded at the ports in Cebu after the Philippine Coast Guard did not allow 41 passenger vessels to sail due to tropical depression “Marce.”

Apprentice Danny Mendoza of the PCG Cebu Station said the vessels were not allowed to leave after Storm Signal Number 1 was hoisted over Cebu province.

Classes at the kindergarten level were also automatically suspended because of the storm signal, said Department of Education Cebu City Division Superintendent Bianito Dagatan.

“The local government unit (LGU) can also declare suspension of classes,” Dagatan said in a text message to Cebu Daily News.

Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Cebu information officer Katrina Nolasco, said the Bantayan municipal government ordered the suspension of classes in the elementary level.

As of 7 a.m. on Thursday, Marce was at 175 km east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Its maximum sustained winds was 45 km per hour while gustiness was up to 55 km per hour.

Aside from Cebu, Storm Signal Number 1 was hoisted over Romblon, Cuyo Island, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique , Guimaras Surigao del Norte including Siargao Island, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin. CBB/rga