Negros sea travel resumes; 7 fishermen still missing
BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occ. – The trips of several sea transport vessels resumed Friday after these were cleared by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). The PCG had previously cancelled sea travel by vessels last Wednesday, July 1, from Negros Occidental to various points due to inclement weather caused by Typhoon Egay.
PCG Bacolod Station Commander Ramil Palabrica had cancelled trips of vessels plying from San Carlos City, Negros Occidental to Toledo, Cebu; Pulupandan, Negros Occidental to Guimaras Island; Victorias City, Negros Occidental to Ajuy, Iloilo; Bacolod City to Dumangas, Iloilo; and Sagay City and Cadiz City in Negros Occidental to Bantayan in Cebu.
Meanwhile, Palabrica also reported that the seven Negrense fishermen from Victorias City, Negros Occidental who were fishing in the middle of the sea between Gigantes Island, Carles and Estancia in Northern Iloilo, and Madridejos, Cebu last Thursday, are still missing.
The fishermen were able to still make contact with relatives late afternoon of Thursday, July 2. But as of Saturday, July 4, relatives said they could no longer get through them.
The missing fishermen who were on board F/B Inday Sweet were identified as John Rey Vergara, Antic Celeste, Gerry Balangisan, Norberto Patriarca, and three others identified only as Jomar, Jimbol and Anel.
Palabrica said Coast Guard Bacolod and Coast Guard Cebu continue in joint search operations for the missing fishermen.
Meanwhile, several roads in this province were closed for land travel because of heavy and continuous rains since last week.
The new head of the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Zeaphard Gerhard Caelan said, Malabong Bridge, in Brgy. Malabong and a bridge in Sitio Bo-og, Brgy. Andulawan, in Ilog town, this province is impassable.
Notice has been posted along the highway in Kabankalan City, to warn motorists not to go on the regular route. Instead, the local government unit has provided an alternate route passing Consuelo Bridge in Brgy. Alegre towards Brgy Talubangi, all in Kabankalan City.