LEGAZPI CITY -- At least 2,156 passengers were stranded in major ports across the Bicol region as Typhoon Tisoy maintained its strength, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Sunday.
Lt. Junior Grade Excelsior Abenoja, PCG Bicol operation officer, said in an interview that maritime operations in small and major ports have been suspended after the weather bureau raised public storm signals in six provinces of Bicol.
As of 11:20 a.m., Abenoja said "most of the stranded passengers are from the Matnog port -- in Matnog, 1,729 passengers, and Pilar, 148 passengers all in Sorsogon; for Pio Duran, 152 passengers; 85 passengers in Tabaco City all in Albay; Pasacao, Camarines Sur -- 24 passengers; Placer, Masbate -- 14 and four passengers in San Andres port in Catanduanes."
Meanwhile for rolling cargo, 454 are stranded in Matnog, Sorogon; 18 in Pioduran and 7 in Tabaco City, all in Albay; 24 in Masbate City, two in San Pascual and nine in Placer, all in Masbate; and two in Virac Catanduanes.
Claudio Yucot, Office of Civil Defense Bicol regional director, in an interview said classes in all levels in the five Bicol provinces on Monday (December 2) have been suspended as a disaster precautionary measure.
The suspension of classes and work would give the public time to prepare for the impending typhoon, he said. (PNA)
