Photo courtesy of Philippine Ports Authority Port Management Office Bicol
QUEZON CITY (PIA) — Nearly 6,000 passengers and over a thousand vehicles were stranded in 13 Port Management Offices (PMOs) across the country due to inclement weather from Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Tarami), the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) said Wednesday, Oct. 23.
In a report to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, the PPA said that as of noon today, there were 5,985 passengers and 1,282 vehicles stranded in PMOs from the National Capital Region down Misamis provinces in Mindanao.
On October 21, 2024, PPA directed port managers to strictly implement Memorandum Circular No. 19-1996, or “Revised Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures in the Port During Inclement Weather,” including the submission of Port Situational Reports.
However, the PPA said that port operations remained normal in other ports, except those where operations were suspended or rendered non-operational due to Kristine’s impact.
It added that three PMOs, particularly in the Bicol region, have sustained damage. These were:
1. Port of Bulan, Sorsogon: damaged concrete side slope, detached two railings of causeway, and damaged CCTV wiring;
2. Port of Pio Duran, Albay: Portion of the newly constructed causeway of the on-going project was damaged/collapsed; dis-alignment of the installed RSB for the construction of beams and slabs of the RC Platform; and
3. Baseport Legazpi: Damaged one solar floodlight and temporary tent installed by PCBSI, and floating buoy was partially submerged.
Also, the PPA directed its personnel to maintain close coordination with concerned local government units (LGUs) and relevant government agencies to ensure passenger safety and efficient port operations. (PIA DMD)
