Coast Guard lifts sea travel ban in 9 areas

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Sunday lifted the sea travel ban in nine areas in Luzon and Visayas after Typhoon Ompong left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Marooned passengers in the ports in Manila, Batangas, Mindoro, Quezon, Bicol, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Leyte, Dumaguete and Iloilo welcomed the PCG directive issued at 5 a.m.

PCG spokesperson Captain Armand Balilo said that vessels in Puerto Princesa, Palawan were also cleared to sail, except those in Brookes Point.

“Coast Guard Palawan is still assessing the sea condition in Brookes Point, El Nido, Cuyo and Coron,” he said.

On hold

In Antique, Balilo also said that sea travel remains suspended, pending the assessment by PCG safety inspectors of prevailing sea condition.

“Trips at Port of Bongao going to Zamboanga are still suspended because of rough sea condition,” Balilo, also the chief of PCG’s Public Affairs Office, added.

The lifting of the sea travel ban has reduced the number of stranded passengers and vessels to 112 and 21, respectively, the latest data released by PCG showed.

As of 8 a.m., the remaining stranded passengers were in the Port of Pasacao in Camarines Sur, with 32; Bongao Port, 59; and Balabac in Brookes Point, 21.

On the other hand, several vessels remain on hold in Semirara, Caluya, Lipata Ports, all in Antique; Masbate and Cataingan Ports, Masbate; Pamingitan, Zamboanga; Cuyo, Puerto Princesa, El Nido, Coron, all in Palawan; and Bongao in Tawi-Tawi.