Trucks with perishable goods stranded at Surigao Port due to TD Samuel

Tropical Depression Samuel left trucks carrying perishable goods stranded along roads leading to Lipata Port in Surigao City, according to a report by Cedric Castillo on "24 Oras."

A group of fruit traders decided to stay inside their truck loaded with bananas set to be shipped from Mindanao to Luzon, as they wait for the 'no sailing policy' to be lifted.

"Ang ano nila, Friday ang sure na makakatawid... tingin ko lusaw na [ang mga saging] 'pag Linggo kasi sobra na sa isang linggo. 'Pag Friday ang alis dito, tingin ko kahit kalahati, mahihirapan na kami magbenta," fruit trader Felma Bercenas said.

By noon, the sight of the Dinagat Islands was still visible from the Surigao shore but the view became hazy as rains started to pour by late afternoon.

Meanwhile, some residents already joined the pre-emptive evacuation in the city.

"Malakas 'yung baha kasi 'yung baha galing sa taas... mahirap na pumunta dito kung gabi kami pupunta dito," evacuee Adi Calumpa said.

Though the tropical depression was projected to be weaker than the previous ones, the local government chose not to become complacent.

"Medyo mas mahina pag ikumpara natin sa mga nakaraang bagyo, gayunpaman, di kami nagpakakumpiyansa. We convened the disaster council. We checked the extent of our preparations," Primolito Plaza, provincial administrator of Surigao Del Norte, said.

According to the Office of Civil Defense-Caraga, 342 families equivalent to 1,442 individuals have already evacuated in the region. —Dona Magsino/ LDF, GMA News