By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga
A developing tropical storm that may potentially halt sea and air travel is threatening thousands of holiday travelers across the Visayas. Based on information provided by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), a tropical storm with the international name “Phanfone” was last spotted 1,365 kilometers east of Mindanao.
The storm is moving northwest at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum winds at 65 kph and gusts up to 80 kph.
The storm is likely to make landfall between the eastern portions of the Visayas and Mindanao on Christmas eve.
Current tracking by PAGASA also shows the storm may pass over the northern portion of Negros.
Due to the impending storm, thousands of passengers across the region have already made the decision to travel in order to avoid getting stranded at port.
At the Iloilo City Fastcraft terminal over the weekend, Watchmen Daily Journal witnessed hundreds of passengers lining up at ticketing booths with vessels reporting full capacity.
The same was unfolding at the Dumangas Roll-on/Roll-off Port, where trucks were spotted queuing in lines that stretched for at least three kilometers waiting to board Bacolod City-bound vessels.
Meanwhile, based on monitoring by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in the Western Visayas, around 2,709 outbound passengers passed through the Iloilo City Fastcraft terminal and the Dumangas port.
In Bacolod City, hundreds of passengers also crowded at the Bredco and Banago Ports. As of 12:00 noon last Sunday, the PCG in Negros Occidental reported 2,026 outbound passengers were recorded passing through various ports across the province.
The PCG is also strict in conducting inspections to ensure vessels are in good condition and there are no cases of overloading.
K9 units were also inspecting baggage and vehicles were being checked before they were allowed to board vessels.
The PCG advises travelers in the region to monitor the weather and, if possible, travel early, as they will immediately suspend sea travel once PAGASA declares a tropical storm warning signal./DGB, WDJ
