BACOLOD City – At least 1,000 passengers were stranded at Bredco port on Thursday after the Philippine Coast Guard suspended sea travel due to weather disturbance brought about by tropical depression “Usman.”
Northern Negros Occidental remains to be under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 as of 5 p.m. yesterday, based on the Severe Weather Bulletin No. 7 of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.
Petty Officer 3 Christian Abuyabor, duty boarding officer of Coast Guard Station-Bacolod, said sea travel was suspended to ensure the safety of the passengers.
“We cannot risk the safety of our fellowmen. Our concern is their safety, the safety of lives and properties,” he added.
Among those stranded were about 300 members of the Servants of the Blessed Trinity and Healing Ministry from Iloilo, who came from a prayer meeting in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
“We have no place to go to. We are supposed to go home to Sara, Iloilo,” said Remeny Vilbar, one of the passengers.
Also stranded were a family from Cadiz City, Negros Occidental who were traveling with three young children to spend the New Year with their relatives in Aklan.
Coast Guard Station-Bacolod advised travelers against sea trips until the suspension is lifted.
The state weather bureau said “Usman” may intensify into a tropical storm before landfall over Eastern Samar on Friday afternoon.
Moderate to heavy rains are also expected over Visayas on the same day.
The tropical depression was forecasted to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility between Sunday evening and Monday morning. (With PNA/PN)
