LTO urges motorists to pause travel to Bicol, Visayas due to Kristine aftermath

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Sunday urged motorists to suspend travel to Bicol and the Visayas region, as roads remain congested or impassable after severe flooding in the Milaor-Naga area brought by the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

In an advisory, the LTO said only trucks and heavy vehicles are currently able to navigate roads heading to Bicol safely.

“Due to the impact of Typhoon Kristine, which has recently affected the Bicol Region, we strongly recommend that all motorists suspend travel to Bicol and the Visayas, except for those transporting relief goods and essential items or heading directly to Camarines Norte,” the advisory read.

“For everyone’s safety, we urge motorists to delay travel until road conditions improve. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available,” it added.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to provide all possible support to the local government units (LGUs), including the Bicol Region, that struggled against Kristine.

The Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) has also called on Bicol-bound passengers not to flock to the station, as trips have been cancelled due to several roads still impassable due to the floods.

Kristine exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Friday, and has since intensified into a typhoon.

The state weather bureau is also monitoring Tropical Storm Leon (international name: Kong-Rey), which has slightly intensified over the Philippine Sea, and may continue to influence the Southwesterly Windflow triggered by Trami. This may then affect the Visayas, Mindanao, and the western section of Southern Luzon. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA Integrated News