Sea travel ban lifted in Visayas, but not in E. Samar

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has lifted the ban on sea travel in the Visayas, except in the Eastern Samar area, where Storm Signal No. 1 remains in effect, according to a "GMA Flash Report" aired Sunday evening. The Coast Guard lifted the ban after Pagasa, the weather bureau, noted that Tropical Depression Auring had shifted its direction north, thus easing its effect on the 10 areas in the Visayas previously put under Storm Signal No. 1. The regional commander of the Coast Guard, however, still has the discretion to allow or disallow ship travel, according to a report by GMA's John Consulta. Hundreds of passengers going to the Visayas have been stranded since Saturday in Metro Manila because bus trips to that region were suspended. High waves caused by Auring made it risky for ferries to tranport the buses from Luzon. - GMANews.TV