By Mike Crismundo
SURIGAO CITY - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Surigao City and Surigao del Norte on Monday has ordered the suspension of travels of all vessels and watercraft plying the route of Siargao Island and Dinagat Islands due to typhoon “Tisoy.”
Philippine Coast Guard (MANILA BULLETIN)
In an order issued on Monday, the PCG said the suspension was based on Memorandum Circular No. 02-2013 issued by its national headquarters on the “Guidelines on Movement of Vessels during Heavy Weather.”
The PCG order was in response to a weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration as of 5 a.m. on Monday.
Several passengers traveling to Siargao Island and Dinagat Islands were stranded at the Port of Surigao City and even in Lipata Ferry Port Terminal.
At least 13 vessels are at berth in the Surigao City and Lipata ports since Sunday night, four on anchorage, while 10 vehicles are also stranded in the said port.
“Our main objective here is the lives of every Surigaonons, Siargaonons, and Dinagatnons and even all those travelers passing our city,” Surigao City Mayor Ernesto U. Matugas, Jr. said.
He also ordered the suspension of classes from preschool to elementary levels in public and private schools on Monday.
Local officials and education authorities in the Province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) also declared the suspension of classes as of 6:30 a.m. Monday.
Classes are suspended in all levels in public and private schools in the towns of Cagdianao, Dinagat, Libjo, Tubajon, and Loreto while classes in preschool and elementary levels in public and private schools are suspended in the province’s capital town of San Jose.
Read more: ‘Tisoy’ unleashes violent winds, heavy rains