CEBU CITY—Hundreds of passengers were stranded after all boat trips here were cancelled on Tuesday due to tropical storm Dante.
Coast Guard Station Central Cebu enforced temporary suspension of voyage for all types of vessel around 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 1 “to avert maritime accidents.”
According to the Cebu Port Authority (CPA), some 109 passengers were stranded in various ports in Daanbantayan, San Remigio and Danao City in northern Cebu.
Data from Coast Guard Station-Cebu on the other hand showed at least 200 passengers were affected by the cancellation of sea trips.
Cebu province was placed under Code Alert Level Blue after signal no. 1 over 36 areas in central and north Cebu.
The Cebu Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised emergency responders to strictly monitor seawaters in their areas for any fisherfolks sailing out to the sea.
“The Coast Guard has already ordered the suspension of all types of voyages for today. We are urging our local disaster and rescue units to urge fishermen not to venture out to the sea,” Neil Sanchez, PDRRMO chief, said.
Placed under Signal No. 1 were Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, Tabuelan, Sogod, Tuburan, Catmon, Carmen, Danao City, Asturias, Balamban, Compostela, Liloan, Cebu City, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Consolacion, Cordova, Toledo City, City of Talisay, Minglanilla, City of Naga, Pinamungahan, San Fernando, Aloguinsan, City of Carcar) including Bantayan and Camotes Islands.
“We’re aiming for zero casualties, and we’re hoping we can achieve it,” said Sanchez.