Storm threat to Cebu leaves hundreds stranded in ports

CEBU - Hundreds of ship passengers were stranded yesterday while many others had the scare of their life when storm Quinta hit portions of the Visayas.

The Philippine Coast Guard did not allow vessels to set sail upon receiving the storm advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Even if only storm signal number 1 was raised in Cebu, the PCG did not allow any boat to leave following a new regulation that was implemented after the Princess of the Stars tragedy last June.

However, the warning from PAGASA came late and passengers of a vessel that was allowed to set sail had the scare of their lives when waves battered the boat.

Classes were also suspended in several schools in the afternoon.

Commander Antonio Cuasito of PCG Station Cebu said that passengers were stranded at the port in Cebu as they did not allow vessels bound for Bohol, Samar, Leyte and Ormoc to leave.

Cuasito said that they strictly implemented their new guideline that no vessel will be given clearance regardless of the gross tonnage when a storm signal is hoisted by PAGASA over the port of origin and the port of destination of the vessel.

Storm signal number one was raised by PAGASA in its 8:15 am bulletin.

Among the areas put under the storm warning were Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and most of the Visayas and certain areas in the southern part of Luzon and northern Mindanao.

MV Filipinas Surigao of Cokaliong Shipping encountered problems when it was battered by big waves en route to Cebu from Palompon, Leyte.

Ship captain Alexander Wahing said that they were given clearance by PCG when they left Palompon at 8:00 a.m. yesterday morning because there was no storm signal raised by PAGASA.

“Nag-panic ang mga pasahero pero wala ray na-injure ug wa say kadaut sa barko, alas dyes sa buntag nasugatan nila ang kusog nga hangin ug bawod hinungdan nga iyang giminusan ang speed sa barko,” Wahing said. 

The vessel was scheduled to arrive in Cebu at 12 noon, but managed to arrive safely with no injuries to passengers and crew only four hours after.

Most of the 128 passengers complained of the delayed forecast of PAGASA, which they blamed for their ordeal.

 Typhoon Quinta packed center winds of 45 kilometers per hour, hovering 40 kilometers Northeast of Mactan yesterday morning.

Province Takes Action

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia called for an emergency meeting of the Cebu Provincial Disaster and Coordinating Council (PDCC) to prepare for the storm.

Cebu Provincial Police Office Director, Sr. Supt. Carmelo Valmoria, said that he already alerted all the town police chiefs to respond to any casualties and has ordered them to submit reports every two hours.

Lt. Col. Raymundo Bañares, commanding officer of the 78th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, told Garcia that he also dispatched men to critical municipalities to assist the residents during emergency situation.

Governor Garcia ordered Provincial Administrator Eduardo Habin to alert the town mayors particularly those in Camotes Island to inform their constituents to be vigilant.

City Also Ready

The Cebu City Disaster and Coordinating Council (CDCC) yesterday issued a bulletin placing on alert disaster councils of calamity-prone barangays.

Councilor Gerardo Carillo, CDCC action officer said they had directed all Barangay Disaster Coordinating Councils to place on stand by, their vehicles and necessary equipment for any probable untoward incident. —with Garry B. Lao and Ferliza C. Contratista/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)