Almost 7k individuals stranded at Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao ports due to Agaton — PCG

A total of 6,949 passengers, drivers, and cargo helpers are stranded in different ports in the Bicol, Visayas and Mindanao regions because of Tropical Depression Agaton, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Tuesday.

In a Facebook post, PCG further noted that 2,066 rolling cargoes, 51 vessels, and one motor banca were also stranded in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Northeastern Mindanao, Central Visayas, and Western Visayas regions from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. on April 12.

Meanwhile, there were 73 more vessels and 26 motor bancas that were taking shelter.

Most of the stranded people or 3,736 were from the Bicol Region. It also recorded 731 rolling cargoes and seven vessels that were stranded, and seven more vessels taking shelter because of the storm.

Ports affected in the Bicol Region due to moderate to rough sea conditions were Matnog Port, Bapor Port, San Pascual Port, and Pasacao Port.

In Eastern Visayas, 1,752 individuals, 752 rolling cargoes, 11 vessels, and one motor banca were stranded, while 27 vessels and 15 motor bancas were taking shelter.

Ports covered by the rough to very rough sea conditions in the region were the Port of Ormoc, Port of Isabel, Port Bato, Liloan Port Ferry Terminal, Port of San Ricardo, Port of Balwarteco, Port of Sta. Clara, Port of Dapdap, Port of San Isidro, Port of Dolores, Port of Guiuan, Port of Maguinoo, and Port of Daram.

In the Northeastern Mindanao, 654 people and 357 rolling cargoes were stranded, while 35 vessels and six motor bancas were taking shelter.

Moderate to rough sea conditions hit Surigao Base Port, Lipata Port, Port of Libjo, Port of Tubajon, Port of Loreto, Port of Escolta, Port of Cagdianao, Port of Wilson, Port of Doña, Port of Dapa, Port of Nasipit, and Beaching Area.

Meanwhile, in Central Visayas, 530 individuals, 104 rolling cargoes, and 32 vessels were stranded, while four vessels and five motor bancas were taking shelter.

Moderate sea condition affected Port of Tabuelan, Port of Bogo City, Port of San Remegio, Port of Carmen, Samboan Port, Cabahug Wharf, Port of Dunggoan, and Pitogo Port.

In the Western Visayas, 277 people, 122 rolling cargoes, and one vessel were stranded.

Light to moderate sea conditions covered Culasi Port, Port of Escalante, and Port of Sagay.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin on Tuesday, state weather bureau PAGASA said Tropical Depression Agaton’s center was already in the vicinity of Marabut, Samar, with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remained hoisted in the following areas:

• the southern portion of Masbate (Dimasalang, Cawayan, Palanas, Placer, Cataingan, Esperanza, Pio V. Corpuz);
• Eastern Samar;
• Samar;
• Northern Samar;
• Biliran;
• Leyte;
• Southern Leyte;
• the northeastern portion of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, Tabogon, Borbon, Sogod) including Camotes Island;
• Dinagat Islands

The reported death toll due to Agaton has climbed to 20 as of Tuesday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

A total of 139,146 people or 95,741 families were also affected by the storm in 274 barangays in Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro, the NDRRMC said. — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA News