Many people stranded in Surigao ports

By BEN SERRANO
Correspondent

BUTUAN City–The threat posed by Tropical cyclone “Marce” stopped many vessels in Caraga from leaving ports in the region yesterday.

Coast Guard commander for Caraga Albert Ferre said one of the vessels was the Cebu City-bound vessel M/V Filipinas docked at the Surigao City wharf. It was supposed to leave Surigao yesterday morning.

Ferre said more than 70 cargoes and some 247 passengers were stranded at Port of Lipata in Surigao City as of early morning yesterday.

Hundreds of passengers also found themselves stranded in the Surigao provinces, particularly in Surigao City that has two port terminals in Lipata and Bilang-bilang.

Ferre said other vessels stranded were vessels M/V Maria Felisa , M/V Maria Vanessa and M/V Anthon Rafael that were all bound for Southern Leyte.

There were at least seven smaller passenger vessels bound for Siargao and Dinagat Islands that were stranded in Surigao City.

Monitor

The Surigao city government began a close monitoring of the rainfall mount and water level to avoid a repeat of the traffic jam caused by a flashflood early this month.

The city had been experiencing slow to moderate rains since Tuesday evening.

“We are now taking consideration and anticipating the possible recurrence of heavy traffic triggered by a flashflood in the city streets,” said Annette Villaces, information officer of the Surigao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

Villaces said city hall would implement alternative routes if needed.

She said they would ask the Department of Public Works and Highways to put up early warning signals for all unfinished drainage construction projects in the city.

She said some drainage canals in the city needed to be unclogged.

“We advise the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils to monitor their area of responsibility for possible flashfloods and landslides,” she said. (with reports from roel catoto of mindanews)