CEBU CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas (PCG-7) has temporarily suspended all sea trips in areas placed under Signal No.1.
“Coast Guard Station Central Cebu is now enforcing temporary suspension of voyage of all types of vessels and watercraft as proactive measures in order to avert maritime accidents,” Coast Guard Cebu said in a statement released Friday morning.
Among those suspended temporarily are the trips to Cuyo Island and Cagayancillo Island in Luzon; to Negros Oriental, Bohol, Siquijor and Camotes Islands in the Visayas; and to the Dinagat Islands, Agusan provinces, Davao provinces and Surigao provinces in Mindanao.
PCG-7 has urged seafarers and those sailing with small fishing boats not to risk the severe weather to prevent accidents.
Trips may resume once the storm signal has been lifted and the weather has cleared up.
The Coast Guard has also advised stranded passengers to wait for updates from shipping lines as well for the cancellation and resumption of trips.
Signal No. 1 has been raised over portions of central and southern Cebu due to tropical depression Vicky on Friday morning.
In its 8 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said “Vicky” continues to move west-northwestward toward the Davao Oriental and Surigao del Sur area at 15 kilometers per hour. It packs maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kilometers per hour.
Affected areas in Cebu are Borbon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Sogod, Catmon, Carmen, Asturias, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordoba, Balamban, Cebu City, Talisay City, Toledo City, Minglanilla, Naga City, Pinamungahan, San Fernando, Aloguinsan, Carcar, Barili, Sibonga, Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Argao, Dalaguete, Badian, Alegria, Alcoy, Boljoon, Oslob, Malabuyoc, Ginatilan, Samboan, and Santander. The Camotes group of Islands is also included.
“Vicky” developed into a tropical depression at 2 a.m. Friday, making it the 22nd tropical cyclone of the year and the first for December, PAGASA said. (PNA)
