By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

All fastcraft trips between Negros and Iloilo remained cancelled yesterday due to gale force winds generated by Typhoon Paolo.

Based on information released by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), Typhoon Paolo was last seen at 840 kilometers east of Basco, Batanes with winds reaching 145 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts reaching 180 kph.

Although the storm is moving away of the country, tracking north northeast at 17 kph, PAGASA still released a gale warning over the Western Visayas, forecasting winds reaching between 28 and 52 kph.

The weather bureau also stated rough to very rough sea conditions may be experienced in the region, with waves estimated at 3.4 to 4.5 meters in height.

Due to the gale warning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said all fastcraft vessels bound for Iloilo City are still barred from leaving port.

However, PCG said passengers have the option to use the roll-on/roll-off (Roro) ferry services heading to Dumangas Port as an alternative since they remain operational despite the bad weather./DGB, WDJ