BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Northern Negros Occidental said yesterday morning they could suspend sea travel in the province if the weather deteriorates due to Super Typhoon “Mawar.”
“Kung makita namon nga pwerte ka-balud, pwerte ang ulan, kag pwerte ang hangin it is the prerogative of the PCG in the line with its safety mandate na pwede namon i-suspend [ang biyahe] until maglapas ang lain tiyempo,” said Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio.
He said even if the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) will not issue any storm warnings for the province, they could still bar sea vessels from leaving if they deem it too risky to set sail.
Mercurio pointed out the Memorandum Circular No. 139 on the Guidelines on Movement of Vessels During Typhoons and Adverse Weather Conditions issued by the Maritime Industry Authority.
The PCG-Northern Negros Occidental station commander said they received information from PAGASA that “Mawar,” which will be locally named “Betty” once it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), will recurve although Western Visayas, including Negros Occidental, can still experience rough seas and heavy rains.
He also said the memorandum also covers fishermen, advising them not to venture out to sea if the weather deteriorates.
Sea trips and fishermen may resume their operations once the weather improves.
Mercurio also said they have prepositioned their assets.
He advised those traveling for leisure activities to cancel them.
“Mawar” has maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts at 260 kph.
It is moving west at 20 kph and is forecasted to enter the PAR between last night and early this morning./PN
