Due to bad weather 11 vessels and bancas cancel trips

CEBU, Philippines - At least 11 inter-island vessels and motorized bancas have voluntarily cancelled their trips yesterday because of the bad weather condition that Cebu and neighboring provinces have experienced for the past few days.

Coast Guard District Central Eastern Visayas deputy commander and spokesman Capt. Anelito Gabisan said seven ships and four motorized banca in Cebu voluntarily cancelled their trips yesterday morning.

Three other ships in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental also did not leave the port even if they were not prevented by coast guard. 

Gabisan however warned all shipping companies, especially those operating small vessels and motorized bancas, to exercise utmost caution amidst the unpredictable weather condition.

Gabisan explained that some shipping companies opted to cancel their scheduled trips because of the strong waves reaching up to 5-feet which he said is already very risky for small vessels to sail.

Despite the warning, Gabisan admitted, some fishermen insisted to go out on fishing.

“In spite the fact sa among pag-pahibalo, naa gihapon mag pa badlong bisag risgo na kaayo para nila” he added.

He said fishermen should not sacrifice their lives for their “work,” especially if taking such risk will lead their families feeding for themselves in their demise. “unsa man nang panginabuhi kun patay na sila?” he said.

“Kahibaw na saila sa kinaiyahan, kahibaw na sila kun unsa ang dagan sa panahon, unta di nalang sila mo lawig aron di sila ma problmea.”

Meanwhile, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority General Manager Nigel Paul Villarete told The Freeman that there were no cancelled flights despite the bad weather except that there were two delayed incoming flights.

Weather forecaster Ella Comahig of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Agency (PAGASA) in Mactan said the entire region will continue to experience rain and big waves brought about by the tail end of cold front and the northeast monzon.

The low pressure area which might develop into a tropical depression or cyclone continues to threaten Cebu and the rest of the Central Visayas.

It was spotted as of 2 p.m. yesterday to be at 110 km South, Southeast of Zamboanga City with coordinates 6º North and 122.8 º East.

The 27 barangay Captains in Lapu-lapu City especially at the islet barangays were directed to reactivate their respected disaster risk reduction management committee.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza issued yesterday a memorandum order directing all barangay captains to be in the frontline during disasters amidst the present weather condition in Cebu.

Radaza said barangay captains are the first to know the situation of their respected barangays.

The city mayor said barangay captains should be ready with plans for implementation when disaster occurs. — with Jose P. Sollano /FPL (FREEMAN)