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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PPA places ports on high alert; over 1,500 passengers stranded amid 'Opong' threat

PPA places ports on high alert; over 1,500 passengers stranded amid 'Opong' threat

Published Sep 25, 2025 05:59 pm
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) placed on Thursday, Sept 25, all the ports under its supervision on highest alert in anticipation of the adverse effects of severe tropical storm “Opong”.
Part of the instruction to be alert, according to PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago, is to submit a regular situation report, especially on the number of passengers stranded in the affected areas.
As of Thursday afternoon, PPA reported that a total of 1,519 passengers are stranded, most of them at the Batangas Port with more than 800 people.
More than 300 stranded passengers were reported in Caraga region while more than 280 others in Bicol.
“Our PMOs (Port Management Offices) are on high alert and they will be implementing necessary precautionary measures to ensure the safety of the passengers, port workers, shipment and infrastructure,” said Santiago.
He said all the equipment and supplies were already placed on standby in the ports that would be affected by the weather disturbance.
These include emergency power systems and communication equipment.
Santiago said his instruction to the port managers is to ensure the safety of all the passengers and workers, the reason why first aid kits, food and water were also placed on standby.
Santiago earlier ordered that port managers should provide food and other basic necessities to stranded passengers, one of them is the distribution of free rice porridge.
Aside from taking care of the passengers and workers, Santiago said included in the preparation is to ensure that all ports are ready to become staging points of relief assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“We also activated all the emergency response protocols in line with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Manual in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), MARINA (Maritime Industry Authority) and local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management offices.
He said PPA’s social media account will be active 24/7 to cater to the needs of the passengers, as well as in providing information in all port-related situations.
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