LEGAZPI CITY – Nearly 1,000 passengers are stranded in 11 ports in the Bicol region due to Tropical Storm Enteng, the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol (OCD-5) reported on Monday.
In a phone interview, OCD-5 spokesperson Gremil Alexis Naz said that based on the submitted report of the Philippine Coast Guard-Bicol (PCG-5), the 978 stranded passengers are in the ports of Sorsogon, Masbate, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur and Albay provinces.
He said they were at Matnog port (295) and Pilar port (284), both in Sorsogon; Tabaco port (131) and Pioduran port (138) in Albay; Pasacao port in Camarines Sur (13); Virac port in Catanduanes (16); and Masbate City port (35); and Aroroy port (2), San Jacinto port (11), Placer port (14), and Mobo port (39), all in Masbate province.
There were also stranded rolling cargoes, mostly at the Matnog port with 109 and Pilar port in Sorsogon province, 13; Tabaco, 10, and Pioduran in Albay, 88; and Virac, 8; Aroroy, 2; San Pascual, 5; Placer, 7; and Mobo, 33, all in Masbate province.
Naz said they continue to monitor and coordinate with all concerned agencies as some Bicol provinces are still with Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS).
"All LGUs (local government unit) in the Bicol region, through their disaster risk reduction and management council (DRMMC) from municipal, city, and provincial levels, are reminded to submit their report immediately for proper consolidation and reporting in the national DRRMC," he said.
As per the 11 a.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Enteng maintained its strength while slowly turning north-northwestwards over the sea east of the Polilio Islands.
The northern portion of Camarines Norte (Santa Elena, Capalonga, Jose Panganiban, Paracale, Vinzons) are under TCWS No. 2, while the rest of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur province, Albay, and Catanduanes are under TCWS No. 1.
Relief goods ready
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5) prepared PHP226 million worth of family food packs and non-food items for disaster response and augmentation.
In a report on Monday, the DSWD disaster risk reduction management division said 131,243 family food packs and 78,387 non-food relief items have been prepositioned and are readily available in LGUs and regional warehouses across Bicol.
On top of these, a PHP3-million standby fund is ready for additional purchases of food packs or kits as needed.
Each family food pack can provide food for two days for a family of five.
The agency likewise prepared non-food items, including 15,081 sets of family kits, 5,367 boxes of sleeping kits, 5,073 sets of hygiene kits, and 10,066 kitchen kits, among others.
Police on full alert
The Police Regional Office in Bicol (PRO5), on the other hand, has intensified its preparations to assist in the evacuation of individuals in affected areas.
In an interview, PRO5 spokesperson Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib said all units have been placed on high alert, with the activation of the Reactionary Standby Support Force to strengthen capabilities in incident management and disaster response.
"We have 827 police personnel on standby and ready to be deployed for potential evacuations, particularly for residents in coastal areas, landslides, and flood-prone areas," Calubaquib said.
She said the police stations’ hotline numbers are fully operational and ready to receive calls for assistance.
PRO5 Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon urged all residents in affected areas to prioritize their safety by staying alert, informed, and following the instructions of authorities, especially regarding preemptive evacuations. (PNA)
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