By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Several ferry services across Luzon and the Visayas were canceled or placed under no-sail restrictions on Saturday as rough seas intensified under the prevailing southwest monsoon, or habagat, disrupting maritime travel in several major ports.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported multiple cancellations and sailing restrictions as of noon, affecting routes in Batangas, Bicol, Marinduque, Quezon, Mindoro, Bohol, Palawan, Panay-Guimaras and Western Leyte-Biliran.
The cancellations came as weather conditions deteriorated in several coastal areas, prompting authorities and shipping operators to prioritize passenger safety.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also issued a gale warning over the seaboard of Extreme Northern Luzon, where waves could reach up to 5 meters.
The weather bureau advised mariners, particularly operators of small vessels, to remain in port or seek safe harbor because of potentially life-threatening conditions.
PORTS AND ROUTES AFFECTED
Batangas
- Fastcraft services between Batangas and Puerto Galera
- Montenegro Shipping Line services between Batangas and Odiongan
- Starlite services to Sibuyan and Cajidiocan
Bicol
- MV RRBTC services between Rapu-Rapu, Albay, and Legazpi
Marinduque-Quezon
- Montenegro Shipping Lines’ M/V Maria Xenia — Lucena-San Agustin, Romblon
- Kho Shipping Lines’ M/V Kho Ferry 1 — San Andres-Aroroy
- Starhorse Shipping Lines’ M/V Virgen de Peñafrancia — routes involving San Pascual, Masbate; Pasacao, Camarines Sur; and San Andres, Quezon
Masbate
- All vessels and watercraft, regardless of type or tonnage, were affected by the sailing restriction.
Mindoro
- All fastcraft services at Calapan
- Several San Jose-Semirara and San Jose-Coron services
- All sailings from Lubang under a no-sail policy
- Several Puerto Galera-Batangas departures
- Multiple Roxas-Caticlan and Roxas-Buruanga services
Bohol
- Getafe-Cordova and Getafe-Hilton services
- Jagna-Balbagon service
- Ubay-Hilongos and Ubay-Bato routes
Palawan
- All trips involving vessels of 35 gross tons and below at Cuyo
- MV D’Asean Journey on the Puerto Princesa-Cuyo route
Panay-Guimaras
- All Caticlan sailings to Mindoro and Batangas
- Alegria-Roxas, Oriental Mindoro services
- Starlite services from Culasi to Batangas, including the route via Romblon and Sibuyan
- Sibunag-Pulupandan service
Western Leyte-Biliran
- Ocean Fast Ferries’ MV Oceanjet 88 on the Cebu-Maasin-Surigao route
PASSENGERS URGED TO CHECK BEFORE TRAVELING
Authorities urged passengers to coordinate with shipping companies and port authorities before heading to terminals, as sailing restrictions may change depending on weather and sea conditions.
With the habagat continuing to affect several parts of the country, additional cancellations and delays remain possible, particularly in areas experiencing strong winds and hazardous waves.
For safety, passengers should not attempt to travel on suspended routes until authorities and shipping operators declare conditions safe for sailing.
ia/xf
