More than 200 passengers were stranded at the Matnog port in Sorsogon after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended sea trips in affected areas in Visayas and Mindanao due to typhoon “Jolina” on Monday, Sept. 6.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported that at least 222 passengers, 89 trucks, and 22 light cars stranded in Matnog port on Monday.
Achilles Galindes, acting division manager of the PPA in Matnog, said the stranded passengers and vehicles were temporarily evacuated to safe areas in Sorsogon amid the rough sea condition and heavy rains.
"Hindi rin kasi ligtas ang pantalan pag ganitong may sama ng panahon kaya kailangan silang ilikas. Kanina sa meeting with local government unit (LGU), nag-pledge sila to provide food. Nag-serve rin kami ng snacks kanina (The port is also not safe during this bad weather so they were evacuated. Earlier in the meeting with LGU, they pledged to provide food. We also served snacks earlier)," Galindes was quoted in a report by ABS-CBN News on Monday.
Meanwhile, the PCG said all types of vessels plying the route in Eastern Samar, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Bucas Grande Island, and Siargao Island were ordered suspended on Monday.
READ MORE: Sea trips in 'Jolina'-affected areas temporarily suspended
The sea trips will resume in the affected areas until further notice and upon the improvement of the sea and weather condition, it added.
After rapidly intensifying into a typhoon, “Jolina” (international name “Conson”) made landfall over Hernani, Eastern Samar at around 10 p.m., Monday, Sept. 6, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
The PAGASA said tropical cyclone wind signal number 3 has been hoisted over the southern portions of Eastern Samar and Samar.
READ MORE: Typhoon 'Jolina' rapidly intensifies, makes landfall over Eastern Samar — PAGASA