By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Shortly after the resumption of trips between Negros Occidental and Iloilo yesterday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was forced to order a suspension of sea trips again, this time due to the effect of Tropical Storm “Dante.”

Based on the 11:00 a.m. weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), “Dante” was last spotted 235 kilometers east of Maasin City, Southern Leyte.

The storm has maintained its strength at 75 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts at 90 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the northern portion of Negros Occidental, including Bacolod City, as well as the northern and central portions of Iloilo province.

In a travel advisory posted by the PCG’s Coast Guard Station (CGS) Negros Occidental, they immediately ordered a suspension of all fastcraft and roll-on/roll-off trips plying the Bacolod City-Iloilo City and Bacolod City-Dumangas, Iloilo routes.
Based on records provided by the PCG’s Bredco sub-station, 129 passengers and 10 rolling cargoes bound for Manila were unable to leave due to the travel suspension.
Thirty one passengers bound for Iloilo City via fastcraft, 22 passengers and 10 rolling cargoes bound for Dumangas port via roll-on/roll-off ferries were also stranded.

Aside from Bacolod City, CGS-Negros Occidental also suspended its trips between Sagay City and Escalante City to Tabuelan town in Cebu, and San Carlos City to Toledo City, Cebu.

The CGS added that they will issue another travel advisory lifting the suspension as soon as the storm signal is lifted./DGB, WDJ