‘Ramil’ disrupts classes, sea travel in Luzon, Visayas
LEGAZPI CITY—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended sea travel on Friday across Luzon and the Visayas while at least three Bicol provinces suspended classes due to Tropical Depression “Ramil,” which brought strong winds and rough seas, halting all passenger and cargo vessel operations in Bicol and the provinces of Quezon and Northern Samar.
The local governments of Catanduanes and Albay ordered suspension of work and classes on Friday while Catanduanes Gov. Patrick Alain Azanza said all work and school activities in public and private schools would be suspended on Saturday to ensure public safety.
Albay Gov. Noel Rosal suspended classes at all levels beginning 12 noon on Friday and advised the public and private schools to shift to alternative mode.
In Bicol, the PCG suspended all sea trips from major ports including Legazpi City, Tabaco City and Pioduran in Albay; Pasacao in Camarines Sur; Mercedes, Camarines Norte; Virac, Catanduanes; and in Masbate.
Monitoring
Commodore Ivan Roldan, district commander of PCG Bicol, said 618 passengers and 129 rolling cargoes and 80 other vehicles were stranded across the region.
In Quezon, the PCG-Southern Quezon also suspended sea travel in the easternmost portion of the province, including Tagkawayan. The suspension followed the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over the area.
The PCG reminded all vessel operators to exercise extra caution and monitor the tropical cyclone’s movement, said Ensign Mario Rey Vics, commander of PCG-Southern Quezon in an advisory.
The PCG-Northern Quezon station in Real town also suspended voyages for all vessels bound for the Polillo Islands due to rough sea conditions.
The PCG in Northern Samar, which has also been placed under TCWS No. 1, announced a temporary suspension of all sea voyages on Friday, affecting the eastern towns of Laoang, Catubig, Palapag, and other areas in the region.
Lt. Junior Grade Joshua Gabon, commander of PCG Northern Samar, urged vessel operators, particularly those with small boats, to take extra precautionary measures.
As of 5 p.m. on Friday, Ramil was 640 kilometers east of Juban, Sorsogon, moving west southwestward at 25 km per hour (kph), with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gusts of up to 70 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Pagasa warned that Ramil may intensify into a tropical storm before making landfall, potentially near Catanduanes or Aurora by Saturday. —WITH REPORTS FROM MICHAEL B. JAUCIAN, MA. APRIL MIER-MANJARES, DELFIN T. MALLARI JR. AND JOEY A. GABIETA
