Philippine Coast Guard allows vessels to sail as “Lawin” moves away

PHILIPPINE Coast Guard (PCG) authorities have allowed the stranded vessels, with more than 2,000 passengers in Northern Samar and Southern Leyte, to finally sail Monday.

The PCG issued clearances to said vessels after public storm warning signals of Typhoon “Lawin” (international name: Jelawat) in Eastern Visayas were lifted.

The PCG did not issue on Saturday clearances to vessels from Allen port to cross the San Bernardino Strait; and in San Ricardo and Liloan ports in Southern Leyte to prevent sea accidents.

Rey M. Gozon, acting regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), said the stranded passengers at Balwarteco and Dapdap ports in Northern Samar have already crossed towards the Bicol Region.

The ports of Maasin City, Liloan, Benit in San Ricardo all in Southern Leyte and ports of Baybay and Bato in Leyte have resumed operations on Sunday at 7 a.m.

Of the 2,362 affected passengers, 1,792 were in Balwarteco port and 570 passengers were in Dapdap port.

“Though the storm warning signal was already lifted, we still advise fishing boats and other small sea crafts not to venture out into the sea, especially in the eastern seaboard of Visayas due to rough seas,” Gozon said.

Gozon added they have coordinated the local response teams in the municipalities of Llorente and Guiuan in Eastern Samar; Catarman, Laoang and Catubig in Northern Samar; and Catbalogan City, Samar.

As of Tuesday morning “Lawin” was seen 420 kilometers (km) east of Virac; 530 km east of Casiguran in Aurora by Wednesday morning; and 480 km east of Aparri, Cagayan by Thursday. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)