Track of Typhoon Jolina (Image courtesy of DOST-PAGASA)
BACOLOD CITY – Boat trips from some ports in northern Negros Occidental going to Cebu were canceled Tuesday morning after the province was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 due to Typhoon Jolina.
As of 11 a.m., affected are the northern portion of the province, including the cities of Silay, Victorias, Cadiz, Sagay, Escalante; and the municipalities of E.B. Magalona, Manapla, Toboso, and Calatrava, based on the bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
An advisory from the Philippine Coast Guard Station (CGS) in Negros Occidental said vessels from Escalante bound for Tuburan and Tabuelan towns in Cebu as well as those from Sagay traveling to Tabuelan, and vice versa have halted trips since 5 a.m.
In Escalante, stranded were three roll-on, roll-off vessels and 97 passengers while in Sagay, a vessel and seven passengers were unable to travel.
Capt. Ludovico Librilla, commander of CGS Bacolod, said after passenger vessels’ trips were canceled, fishing boats were also prohibited to venture out.
“Resumption of trips will depend on the next weather bulletin to be issued by PAGASA,” he added.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has directed all disaster operations centers in the province to go on heightened alert amid the typhoon’s threats.
On Tuesday, the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division released a copy of Lacson’s memorandum for proactive preparedness issued to chairpersons of all city and municipal disaster risk reduction and management councils.
He noted the typhoon may bring scattered light to moderate, at times heavy rains and thunderstorms.
“Initiate proactive measures and take appropriate precautionary actions for possible flooding, flash floods, or landslides. Ensure waterways are clear of obstruction, review contingency plans, and mitigate possible disaster risk in your area of responsibility,” Lacson instructed. (PNA)
