The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has advised cargo truck drivers that they could take alternative ports amid the long queue of truck outside the Matnog Port in Sorsogon.
PPA spokesperson Eunice Samonte said truckers heading to the Visayas and Mindanao could take instead the port of Pio Duran in Albay and the ports of Castilla and Pilar in Sorsogon to avoid being stranded outside the Matnog Port.
Samonte explained that the long queue of cargo trucks was a result of the decision of ship captains not to travel due to bad weather conditions brought by the northeast monsoon and the shear line.
“There is no sea travel advisory from the Philippine Coast Guard advising ships not to travel but most of the ship captains opted not to travel especially at night due to strong winds and waves,” said Samonte.
She, however, clarified that the Port of Matnog is open.
“Although the Port of Matnog is open, the decision of some of the ship captains is for their safety, to prevent any untoward incident, especially at night,” said Samonte.
Based on the report, cargo trucks were reported to be lined outside the Port of Matnog, the long queue has already reached the Maharlika Highway.
Samonte said the three alternative ports have direct sea travel to Masbate. And once they reached Masbate, they could take another ship heading towards Cebu.
“There are already several ships that are travelling from Cebu to other parts of Visayas and Mindanao,” said Samonte.
The PPA also advised the affected passengers to check with their respective shipping lines the status of the sea travel in Matnog to avoid being stranded.