‘Butchoy’ strands over 3,000 people in Bicol ports

LEGAZPI CITY — Tropical storm "Butchoy," which is heading toward the Samar-Bicol area, has left over 3,000 passengers stranded in several ports across the region.

This, as the Coast Guard suspended sea travel yesterday when the weather bureau hoisted public storm warning signals over the Bicol provinces.

Of the stranded passengers, 130 were at the Tabaco port; 30 in Virac, Catanduanes; 150 in Pilar; 28 at the Bulan port; 2,400 at the Matnog port, all in Sorsogon; and 150 at the Masbate City port.

Capt. Antonio Lalisan, the Coast Guard’s Bicol district commander, said he immediately ordered the suspension of sea travel to make sure that no untoward incidents would happen due to rough seas.

Also stranded were 59 buses, 60 trucks and 43 private vehicles which came from Metro Manila.

To prevent the number of stranded passengers from swelling, especially at the Matnog port, Lalisan said they have asked bus operators from Metro Manila to temporarily suspend their southbound trips.

Meanwhile, Catanduanes Gov. Leandro Verceles Jr. told The STAR that his office is now finding it difficult to extend the usual "free food" to the stranded passengers due to limited funds arising from a budget impasse.

"If ever, this will be the first time that we will fail to extend the usual assistance we are giving to our constituents whenever passengers are stranded in the Tabaco port," Verceles said.

He requested the Catanduanes provincial board to act on the proposed provincial budget for 2004.