PCG: Over 5,500 stranded at seaports amid Verbena

More than 5,500 people were stranded at different seaports across the country as Tropical Depression Verbena may cause bad sea condition early Tuesday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. 

In an update, the PCG said 5,576 passengers, truck drivers, and cargo helpers have been stranded at 82 seaports from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. 

Also stranded were 1,936 rolling cargoes, 121 vessels, and 26 motorbancas, according to the PCG. 

Due to the threat of Verbena, a total of 141 vessels and 52 motorbancas were taking shelter. 

The affected seaports were reported in Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Western Visayas, Southern Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Northeastern Mindanao, and Southwestern Mindanao.

According to the PCG, Southern Tagalog had the most number of stranded people with 1,458, followed by Central Visayas with 1,117 and Western Visayas with 894.

In its 8 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Verbena was last spotted in the vicinity of Canlaon City, Negros Oriental, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

The tropical depression was moving west northwestward at 20 kph. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News