SMALL boats and bancas took shelter in the ports of Bislig City on Wednesday ahead of Tropical Depression Querubin after the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) no. 1 over Surigao del Sur province
In its 11 am bulletin, Pagasa said the Tropical Depression was spotted some 195 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur packing 39 to 61 kilometers of winds and rains.
Surigao del Sur Coast Guard station commander Ensign Junmar Fernandez said Pagasa issued a warning to all boat owners, fishermen, and mariners to expect waves 1.5 meters to 3.7 meters in height along the province's coast.
Fernandez said they have suspended voyages of all boats of 50 gross tons and below from venturing to sea.
Seaman 2nd Class Jaypee Binablo of the Coast Guard operations section in Surigao del Sur said small boats and bancas started arriving in the ports of Bislig City beginning Tuesday afternoon.
“There are now 37 boats docked in Pier 2, Bislig City. They will stay there until the weather will improve,” Benablo said.
Coast Guard stations in the tourist island of Siargao have started patrolling the beaches and warning tourists of the incoming inclement weather, according to Seaman Harvey Bundal.
The municipalities of San Francisco and Placer have suspended classes expecting heavy rains from TD Querubin.
Surigao del Norte Governor Lyndon Barbers, chair of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council is encouraging local town executives to suspend classes early ahead of TD Querubin.
