The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced on Sunday, April 10, the cancellation of all trips of sea vessels en route to Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, Northern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Camotes Islands due to tropical storm “Agaton.”
In a travel advisory, the PCG Station Sorsogon said that the suspension of the sea trips was implemented after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised the wind signal in the areas to Signal No. 1.
“All trips of sea vessels en route to Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, Northern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and Camotes Islands are hereby suspended due to Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 being hoisted in the areas,” said PCG Station Sorsogon Commander Christian Jazmin.
Meanwhile, a total of 212 individuals and three vessels were stranded in the entire Eastern Visayas as the sea condition in the area continued to be moderate to rough after Agatons made landfall over the coastal waters of Eastern Samar around 7:30 a.m.
The stranded individuals and vessels were monitored at the Liloan Port Ferry Terminal and Port of San Ricardo.
But for the other sea trips, the PCG advised passengers to coordinate with authorities with regards to the status of their trips.
The PCG monitored a total of 13,640 outbound passengers and 10,421 inbound passengers in all ports nationwide as the Palm Sunday kicked off the exodus of passengers going to their home provinces for the Holy Week.
Moreover, 1,965 deployed frontline personnel in 15 PCG Districts inspected a total of 156 vessels and 193 motorbancas.
The PCG has placed its districts, stations, and sub-stations on a heightened alert to manage the influx of port passengers during the Holy Week from April 8 to 18.
It will also cover the length of summer vacation in anticipation of local tourists who will travel by sea for recreational purposes until May 31.
Rescued fishermen
Meanwhile in Maasim, Sarangani, the PCG Sub-Station Maasim rescued two fishermen after their motorbanca flipped over due to the rough sea condition on Saturday afternoon.
Jun Jun Turno and Jorge Turno, both residents of Brgy. Kablacan, said they were securing their motorbanca that was moored 350 to 360 meters from the shoreline when it suddenly turned over around 2 p.m.
The fishermen managed to shout for help from residents until they were rescued by the PCG around 4:20 p.m.
The PCG reminded the fishermen to refrain from venturing into the sea during bad weather or rough sea condition.