Stranded passengers crowd the waiting area of Pier 1 in Cebu City on Friday, December 18. | Photo Courtesy of CDRRMO
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The over 300 passengers who were left stranded on the different ports in Cebu during the onslaught of typhoon Vicky can now breathe a sigh of relief.
The Philippine Coast Guard has allowed the resumption of sea travels here on Saturday morning, December 19, after the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) also cleared Cebu of any storm warning signals.
READ: #VickyPH damages roads, fishing boats in southern Cebu
PCG reported on Friday night, that around 308 individuals were stranded on the ports of Cebu City and in Oslob and Tabuelan towns.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) provided food packs for their dinner and breakfast.
On Saturday morning, most of the stranded passengers were already allowed to board the vessels that will bring them to their destinations. At least 20 individuals have remained at the ports in Cebu City while they wait for the arrival of their assigned vessel.
PCG in Central Visayas (PCG-7) has already allowed the resumption of trips from Cebu to Masbate, Surigao, Nasipit, Leyte, and Escalante and visa versa.
Other passengers who are scheduled to depart from Cebu this Saturday were also allowed entry at the different ports here.
Meanwhile, PCG-7 expressed its gratitude to all seafarers who heeded their call for a suspension of sea travels on Friday. Their cooperation prevented the occurrence of sea tragedies during the onslaught of the typhoon. / dcb