More than 1,000 passengers are stranded in six ports across the Bicol Region as Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) disrupts sea travel, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG-5) reported Thursday.
PCG-5 Commander Commodore Ivan Roldan said 1,120 passengers, 426 rolling cargoes, and 12 roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels are stuck at the ports of Pio Duran in Albay; Masbate City, Mintac, and Cawayan in Masbate; and Matnog and Castilla in Sorsogon.
He added that 34 other RoRo vessels are currently taking shelter, with the command center monitoring vessel movement 24/7.
“PCG personnel in all ports throughout the region remain on heightened alert status to immediately respond to any eventuality brought by Opong,” Roldan said.
More than 400 personnel have been deployed, including disaster response groups (DRG) in Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur. These teams brought life vests, ropes, and communication devices for search and rescue operations.
Roldan assured that first aid, rescue, and communication equipment are fully operational and ready for emergencies.
The public may contact PCG Bicol and its stations for emergencies or inquiries through the following hotlines:
- Coast Guard District Bicol: 09776121237
- Coast Guard Station Sorsogon: 09091141877
- Coast Guard Station Camarines Sur: 09463539906
- Coast Guard Station Albay: 09275640600
- Coast Guard Station Masbate: 09637777190
- Coast Guard Station Camarines Norte: 09682805965
- Coast Guard Station Catanduanes: 09478310880
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Opong has intensified, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 135 kph.