BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Ferry trips between the northern part of Negros Occidental and Cebu resumed late yesterday morning.
Commander Jansen Benjamin, Coast Guard District Western Visayas chief of operations, said trips between San Carlos City, Negros Occidental and Toledo City, Cebu recommenced at around 10 a.m.
The sea condition on the side of Negros Occidental was already manageable, according to Benjamin, citing the explanation provided to them by the captains of M/V FastCat M10 and M/V Lite Ferry 2 with regards to their earlier suspension.
However, on the side of Toledo City, the sea condition was so rough that they were unable to dock safely, which is why they decided not to push through with their trips on Thursday, Jan. 12.
Prior to the resumption of sea trips between San Carlos City and Toledo City, the number of stranded passengers climbed to 55 while stranded rolling cargos was at nine.
Meanwhile, the trips between Sagay City and Escalante City to Tabuelan, Cebu remained normal since Thursday, Benjamin said.
Ferry trips between Cadiz City to Bantayan island, Cebu were also suspended due to rough sea conditions.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), at 10 a.m. yesterday the low pressure area was last spotted 85 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao Del Norte.
Forecast by PAGASA showed that the western and central portions of Visayas will continue to experience light to moderate with at times heavy rains.
Sea condition, meanwhile, was forecasted at moderate to rough./PN
