- MITCH M. LIPA
Sea trips between Iloilo and Bacolod, and Negros Occidental, Guimaras, and Cebu, have been automatically canceled since noon today, Dec. 15, after Storm Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the whole of Western Visayas and areas in Central Visayas.
The automatic cancellation of operations of fast craft and RoRo vessels included those plying the routes of Bacolod-Iloilo, Bacolod-Dumangas and vice versa, Negros Occidental and Cebu.
Philippine Coast Guard Negros station head, Lt. Commander Ludovico Librilla, said the cancellation includes all small boats plying the Negros and Guimaras route.
Librilla advised travelers from Negros to Panay and Cebu to postpone their trips until after the storm.
He said that more than 300 travelers were stranded at the Bredco Port in Bacolod after their trips to Panay and Manila have been canceled. They were advised to go home and prepare for “Odette”.
More than 10 cargo trucks have also been stranded at Bredco Port because the operations of RoRo vessels were affected by the cancellation of trips.
Small fishing bancas are advised not to venture to sea starting today, while big fishing vessels should take shelter against strong winds and waves, the PCG said.
PCG stations from San Carlos to Hinobaan are under the Red Alert status, and all personnel are on standby, particularly the deployable response teams.
All assets, like rubber boats, as well as organic members of the PCG and auxiliary groups are also on standby, Librilla said. — MML
