Two shipping lines suspended sea travel to and from a town in Negros Oriental on Monday, February 9, due to rough weather, the Coast Guard in Dumaguete City said.

Lt. Marionne Abigail Enopia, Coast Guard Station Negros Oriental commander, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that shipping companies have the discretion to cancel trips at any time even without Coast Guard approval.

Passengers at the Sibulan port complained that they were unaware of the cancellations.

“They have the option to suspend trips, especially during rough weather, for the safety of their vessels and the passengers,” Enopia said.

Maayo Shippine Lines Inc., which operates roll-on/roll-off (RORO) barges, announced on social media that it was temporarily suspending its trips between the Sibulan Port in Negros Oriental and Liloan Port in Cebu and vice versa.

Cuadro Alas, operator of the fast craft plying the same route, also canceled their trips, the Coast Guard chief said.

Enopia said during inclement weather and in the absence of a Coast Guard advisory on sea travel suspension, passengers are advised to go to the Tampi port in Amlan town.

The Coast Guard only issues travel suspensions during a tropical cyclone or a gale warning, she said.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office urged the public to be vigilant amid heavy rains.

A minor landslide was reported in Barangay Sta. Monica, Manjuyod, although it is far from residential areas and major roads and highways.

Class suspensions were also ordered in Canlaon City, Guihulngan City and Vallehermoso, all in the province’s northern areas, which are susceptible to flooding and landslides. (PNA)