9K passengers stranded in Bicol due to ‘Ursula

LEGAZPI CITY -- More than 9,000 passengers, over a thousand trucks, buses, and cars have been stranded at the major ports in Bicol region due to Tropical Storm Ursula, a report from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Tuesday, Dec. 24.

This, as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) imposed the “no sailing” policy after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration raised varied Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal over the six Bicol provinces.

In an interview, Lt. Junior Grade Excelsior Abenoja, PCG-Bicol operation officer, said as of 6 AM, some 9,465 passengers were stranded in the different ports in the region. – Sorsogon, 8,637 passengers; Albay, 733; Masbate, 39; Camarines Sur, 56.

Also grounded and not permitted to leave the ports were a total of 1,112 trucks, buses, and cars. PCG also suspended the sailing of 15 vessels and six small sea craft. (PNA)

Upper photo shows stranded passengers in Matnog port of Sorsogon. Photo below shows Bicol-bound passengers holed up in a bus terminal in Cubao, Quezon City due to Typhoon Ursula.