Gale warning prevents boats from leaving Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — The Coast Guard District-Central Visayas has called off at least 200 sea trips since Sunday in the region due to a gale warning issued by PAGASA, an effect brought about by Tropical Storm Hannah.

About 20 provinces in Luzon, eight in Visayas, including Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Leyte, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, and four in Mindanao were affected by the temporary suspension of sea trips.

Coast Guard Station Central Visayas Spokesperson Lt. Jr. Grade Michael John Encina said that there were few stranded passengers on several ports, but they were immediately advised to go home and wait until the weather and sea conditions improve.

Fishing boats and other smaller sea vessels were also advised not to venture in the sea in the meantime.

Meanwhile, Alfredo Quiblat, Jr., chief of PAGASA Visayas, told The FREEMAN that although Tropical Storm Hannah has no direct effect to Cebu and the rest of the Visayas, the southwest monsoon or "Habagat" will bring strong winds and isolated rain showers.

Quiblat added that the state weather bureau issued a gale warning due to the strong winds brought about by the southwest monsoon, prompting the PCG- Central Visayas Division to temporarily suspend sea trips.

According to the gale warning report by PAGASA, the waves in the western seaboard of the Visayas can reach up to 2.8 to 4.8 meters.

Quiblat said that isolated rains and thunderstorms will persist in Central and Eastern Visayas until Wednesday; however, Western Visayas will still feel the indirect effects of Tropical Storm Hannah until Friday, when Hannah is expected to be out of the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

PAGASA also forecasted that within 24 hours, Hannah may intensify to Severe Tropical Storm and its location will have to be around the area of Batanes.

Tropical Storm Hannah was last spotted 875 km east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

It carries sustained winds of up to 85-105 km/h, while moving north northwest at 15 km/h.

Meanwhile, more than 250 passengers were stranded in Punta Engaño and Angasil Wharves in Lapu-Lapu City who are bound for Olango Island due to rough seas yesterday.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan immediately went to check the condition of stranded passengers in these two ports bringing with him food packs and water.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CDRRM) Head Nagiel Bañacia said some of the stranded passengers are not only heading for Olango Island, but some are going to Bohol Province.

Upon arrival at the Angasil and Punta Engano ports, the mayor and his assigned staff distributed food packs and water, and even bought all the foods available at the store for the children.

Aside from stranded passengers, Chan and CDRRMO personnel also assisted patients coming from Olango Island who arrived at the Punta Engano warf aboard private pump boats to seek medical attention here in mainland Lapu-Lapu city.

Among them were Caw-oy Barangay Captain Efren Apa and a woman who just gave birth as she and her baby need special attention.

Philippine Coast Guard personnel closely guarded these two wharves to make sure that no motorboats will leave Mactan Island and head towards small islands. (FREEMAN)