CEBU CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) District in Central Visayas on Monday announced the suspension of sea travel as Tropical Storm Hanna (international codename Lekima) brought scattered rain showers and thunderstorms in the entire Visayas region.
Lt. Junior Grade Michael Encina said the cancellation of trips of sea-going vessels issued on Sunday (Aug. 4) is still effective as of Monday afternoon (Aug. 5).
The location of the center of the tropical storm was estimated at 875 km East of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), in its weather bulletin No. 4 as of 11 a.m. Monday, said “today and tomorrow (Aug. 6), moderate to heavy monsoon rains will be experienced over the northern portion of Palawan (including Calamian and Cuyo Islands), Mindoro Provinces, Romblon, and Western Visayas. Cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will be experienced over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, and the rest of Mimaropa and Visayas.”
On Monday morning, the PCG-Central Visayas under Commodore Ronnie Gil Gavan ordered the suspension of travel of motorboats from Bantayan Island bound for Cadiz, Negros Occidental, as well as the Bantayan to Estancia, Iloilo route of MV Balt-Belt Jorney.
Encina told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a message that seven trips of MV Ocean Jet fast-crafts managed by Ocean Fast Ferries Inc. were also not permitted to sail from Pier 1 here to Tagbilaran City, as well as the MV St. Barquiel and St. Sariel from this city to Ormoc.
He said that MV Starcraft bound from Cebu to Tubigon, Bohol, the MV Gloria G1 from Cebu to Holongos, Leyte, MV Island Calayan from Cebu to Tubigon, Bohol, Metro Ferry and Topline Express from Cebu City to Lapu-Lapu City were also ordered not to sail since Monday morning.
Likewise, motorboats from Angasil Port in Mactan Island to Sta. Rosa island and from Hilton Port to Olango Islands and Getafe, Bohol were not permitted to travel, he also said.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan said his office provided lunch for the 215 passengers stranded in Angasil and Hilton ports.
Meanwhile, MV Gloria Two bound for Hilongos, Leyte, the MV South Pacific to Bato, Leyte, and MV Rosalia 3 to Baybay, Leyte were also stranded in Pier 3 here due to cancellation of sea travels.
“As of the moment, PAGASA has issued Gale warning. So, we are directing all stations here in Central Visayas Cebu and Bohol province not to allow sea vessels with 250 gross tonnage and below to navigate,” Encina said.
He clarified that even if there is no heavy rain in Central Visayas, strong “Habagat” (southwest monsoon) winds may pose danger to sea-going vessels. (PNA)