Habagat disrupts sea travel in parts of Luzon, Visayas

By Ernie Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- Ferry trips in the Bicol region and other parts of Luzon and the Visayas were canceled on Tuesday, Aug. 11, due to the effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat, according to maritime authorities.

In an advisory issued at 12 noon, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported canceled trips at ports in Masbate, Mindoro, Batangas, Palawan, Panay-Guimaras and Western Leyte-Biliran.

The agency clarified that it does not directly cancel voyages, noting that trips are automatically suspended once the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) enforces a no-sail policy.

The PPA said that shipping companies may also cancel sailings in accordance with the terms of their Certificates of Public Convenience issued by the Maritime Industry Authority.

As of 12 p.m., the PPA said that the following trips were canceled:

Masbate Port Management Office (PMO)

• Fastcrafts: Montenegro Shipping Lines – Masbate City to Pilar, Sorsogon Mindoro PMO

• Port of San Jose: MV Saint Augustine de Ubon, San Jose to Semirara

• Port of San Jose: MV Argo de Oro I, San Jose to Semirara

• Port of Lubang: No-sail policy by Lubang local government unit

• Port of Puerto Galera: MV Pterippus I, 11:45 a.m., Puerto Galera to Batangas

• Port of Puerto Galera: MV City of Bacolod, 12:30 p.m., Puerto Galera to Batangas

• Port of Puerto Galera: MV Binibining Coron, 2 p.m., Puerto Galera to Batangas

• Port of Puerto Galera: MV Pterippus II, 2:30 p.m., Puerto Galera to Batangas

• Port of Puerto Galera: MV Island Biri, 3 p.m., Puerto Galera to Batangas

• Port of Puerto Galera: MV City of Bacolod, 3:15 p.m., Puerto Galera to Batangas

• Port of Puerto Galera: MV Pterrippus I, 3:45 p.m., Puerto Galera to Batangas

• Port of Roxas: Montenegro Shipping Lines, Roxas to Caticlan

• Port of Roxas: Montenegro Shipping Lines, Roxas to Buruanga

Batangas PMO

• Port of Batangas: Island Water – Abra de Ilog

• Port of Batangas: Montenegro Shipping Line, Batangas – Abra de Ilog

• Port of Batangas: Island Water – Puerto Galera

• Port of Batangas: Montenegro (Fastcraft)

• Port of Batangas: Galerian (Fastcraft)

• Port of Batangas: Island Water (Fastcraft)

Palawan PMO

• TMO Cuyo: All trips of vessels with 15 GT and below

• TMO Culion: Excapade tours and all trips of vessels with 35 GT and below

• TMO El Nido: Tours B and C and all trips of vessels and watercraft with 15GT and below

Panay/Guimaras PMO

• Port of Alegria: All trips from Port of Alegria to Roxas, Oriental Mindoro (Starlite Ferries and Marina Ferries Inc.)

• Port of Sibunag: Port of Sibunag to Pulupandan (Ron Jayredine)

Western Leyte/Biliran PMO

• TMO Palompon: LCT Melrivic One of Tabuelan Sea Transport (Palompon to Bogo)

Meanwhile, the PCG reported that 419 passengers, truck drivers and cargo helpers were stranded at ports across four regions amid rough seas due to the southwest monsoon.

In an advisory, the PCG said the affected individuals were monitored in ports in Southern Tagalog, Central Visayas and Western Visayas from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on August 11.

The agency said that it monitored 298 passengers and 20 rolling cargoes that were stranded, while 10 vessels and two barges were taking shelter in seven ports in Southern Tagalog.

It added that 94 passengers, 46 rolling cargoes, and two vessels and motorbancas were stranded; and two other vessels were taking shelter in Western Visayas.

Meanwhile, at least 27 passengers and 13 rolling cargoes were stranded; while a vessel was taking shelter in Central Visayas, according to the PCG.

In its 5 a.m. weather update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration forecast that the southwest monsoon would continue to prevail over most of Luzon on August 11. (PIA Bicol)