This graphic from Pagasa shows the forecast track of tropical storm “Marce” (international name: Tokage) as of 2 p.m. Friday.
More than 10,000 passengers were stranded in ports all over the country due to rough seas brought about by tropical storm Marce (international name: Tokage) as it made its way across the Philippines.
The Philippine Coast Guard said a total of 10,251 passengers, 1,401 rolling cargoes, 161 vessels and 58 motorbancas were stuck in harbors mostly in the Visayas.
PCG spokesperson Commander Armand Balilo said most were in the Central Visayas, which had 3,102 passengers, 68 vessels, 128 rolling cargoes and 37 motorbancas stranded in ports.
This was followed by the Bicol region, which recorded 2,513 passengers, 24 vessels, 195 rolling cargoes and four motorbancas.
READ: Storm ‘Marce’ strands more than 2,500 in Bicol ports
Southern Luzon had 1,880 passengers, 33 vessels, 613 rolling cargoes and six motorbancas stranded in harbors due to rough seas.
Eastern Visayas registered 1,067 passengers, seven vessels, 169 rolling cargoes and a motorbanca stuck in ports, followed by Western Visayas which had 845 passengers, 14 vessels, 85 rolling cargoes and five motorbancas stranded.
Northern Mindanao had the least number of stranded passengers with 844 passengers, 15 vessels, 211 rolling cargoes and five motorbancas unable to sail.
Marce, which has made four landfalls since Thursday afternoon, was last spotted 90 kilometers west southwest of Roxas City, Capiz.
READ: ‘Marce’ maintains strength even after 4 landfalls
It packed maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 110 kph, moving in a west northwest direction at 22 kph.
Public storm warning signal no. 2 was raised over Romblon, Calamian Group of Islands, southern Occidental Mindoro and southern Oriental Mindoro, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan and northern Antique.
Public storm warning signal no. 1 was raised over northern Palawan including Cuyo Island, the rest of Oriental Mindoro, rest of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island and Masbate including Burias and Ticao Island, Negros Occidental, the rest of Antique and Guimaras.
It is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility before noon Sunday or in the afternoon of that day./rga