OCD: 2,270 passengers stranded in Bicol ports due to Typhoon Labuyo

At least 2,270 passengers were stranded in ports in Bicol due to bad weather conditions brought by Typhoon Labuyo (Utor), the Office of Civil Defense in Region 5 said Sunday.

OCD-5 head Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said Sunday noon most of the 2,270 are bound for areas in Visayas and Mindanao.

"Halos 63 buses ang stranded ngyaon, hindi makaalis ang RORO (roll-on roll-off) at suspended ang operations," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

Also, he said the bus companies are providing assistance to the passengers, with support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

As of 11 a.m. Sunday, Catanduanes and Camarines provinces in Bicol were under Storm Signal No. 3. Albay and Sorsogon were under Signal No. 2.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council head Eduardo del Rosario said at least 10 vessels and 92 rolling cargo ships were not allowed to sail to ensure safety.

Meanwhile, Alejandro said response agencies in Bicol remain on standby even as the OCD tries to recall fishermen who had gone out to sea. — LBG, GMA News