BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City – Sixty vessels got stranded at various ports in Iloilo yesterday as a result of the ongoing effects of Tropical Storm Kristine, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Iloilo Station reported.
The suspension of all maritime operations will continue until the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issues further updates, the coastguard stressed.
Deputy Station Commander for Administration at PCG-Iloilo, Ensign Eljohn Ga, confirmed the halt, emphasizing the measure is to ensure the safety of all passengers and crew members.
The stranded fleet included 46 rolling cargoes, 11 passenger vessels, and three motor bancas.
Meanwhile, PAGASA updated that as of 2 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, Panay Island and the northern portion of Negros Occidental continued to be under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1.
Areas impacted by Signal No. 1 extended to Aklan, Capiz, Antique (including Caluya Islands), Iloilo, Guimaras, and parts of Negros Occidental, covering municipalities such as Pontevedra, La Castellana, Moises Padilla, Bago City, La Carlota City, Bacolod City, among others.
TCWS No. 1 also affected areas in Negros Oriental, Cebu, and various other areas in Visayas and Luzon, with several provinces under the higher TCWS No. 2, including Ilocos Norte, Metro Manila, and other parts of Luzon./PN
