PCG to conduct transport mission in Surigao del Norte for stranded tourists

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday said they will be conducting transport missions in Surigao del Norte, particularly in Surigao Island, to accommodate stranded tourists and residents who want to go home.

In a SuperRadyo dzBB interview, PCG spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo explained that they had to lead this mission as no other boats were available. Other nearby vessels had either been destroyed or needed to be examined for safety reasons.

Per order of PCG Commandant Admiral Leopoldo Laroya, the BRP Gabriela Silang is set to sail to Siargao on Sunday, while other smaller sea assets that were available would also sail to the island for the transport operation.

“‘Yung BRP Sindangan, ‘yung 4407, darating na sa Surigao mamayang alas dos, mauuna po ‘yon. Ayon ang may capability na sumundo ng mga kababayan nating na-trap doon sa Siargao,” he said.

(The BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407) will arrive first in Surigao at 2 p.m. It has the capability to fetch those who were trapped in Siargao.)

Surigao del Norte Representative Francisco Jose Matugas II said on Saturday that almost 99% of the 180,000 population of Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, including tourists, were affected by Typhoon Odette.

Thus, affected tourists and their families were asking when sea travel would be available again so they could go home amid the improved weather in the province.

“Payag naman po tayo kaya lang sinasaang-alang po natin ‘yung capabilities nung mga babiyahe kasi maalon pa rin eh. Kung hindi kaya ‘yung alon baka magkaron pa tayo ng aksidente,” Balilo said.

(They're allow them to go home but we should also consider the capabilities of the passengers as the waves are still rough. If the boats can’t sail through the waves, we might have an accident.)

“‘Yung malalaking barko naman na nagtago, inabot din ng bagyo at marami may mga sira. Ini-inspect muna naming mabuti baka mamaya kino-compromise ‘yung safety dahil gusto lang bumyahe. Mabuti nang nasa side tayo ng pagiingat,” he added.

(The big boats that took shelter were also hit by the storm and many were still damaged. We will carefully inspect them first so that safety will not be compromised for those who want to travel. It’s better that they are safe.)

He said that in Cebu alone, 78 vessels were involved in maritime accidents due to Typhoon Odette. Among these vessels, two sank while other vessels either dragged anchor, crashed, or capsized.

Likewise, Balilo said that another PCG vessel was transporting relief goods and other materials, such as batteries and fuel, sailed to Cebu yesterday. — DVM, GMA News