Several land, sea trips suspended due to Paeng

Several trips of buses and sea vessel on the path of Tropical Storm Paeng were suspended Thursday to keep passengers out of harm's way.

According to Mark Salazar’s “24 Oras” report on Thursday, the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) announced cancellation of bus trips going to Quezon and Batangas province.

Some passengers, meanwhile, have started to go home to their provinces ahead of this year’s Undas.

“May paparating po na bagyo baka po maka-cancel yung mga biyahe pa Mindoro, ni-leave ko na po yung today hanggang bukas,” passenger Michael said.

(The trips going to Mindoro might be cancelled, so I filed a leave from work today until tomorrow.)

There were some trips in Matnog, Sorsogon until 3:45 p.m. despite the advisory of the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Bicol region suspending land travel going to the region.

“Doon sa Ragay pa lang, ‘yung boundary ng Calabarzon, Quezon, at Camarines Sur, sa Ragay pa lang, mayroon na kaming border check, kasama namin diyan ang PNP. Nagbibigay na kami ng advice,” Francisco Ranches Jr., regional director of LTO Region 5, said.

(In Ragay, the boundary of Calabarzon, Quezon, and Camarines Sur, just in Ragay, we already have a border check, the PNP is with us there. We are already giving advice.)

“Walang punitive aspect na panghuhuli, wala po, more on advisory. Sabi namin, ‘wag na kayong tumuloy, kasi para maiwasan na mastranded ang mga vehicles lalo na sa Matnog Port,” Ranches said.

(There is no punitive aspect, more on advisory. We just say don't push through with your trip to avoid being stranded especially at Matnog Port.)

Trips going to Matnog Sorsogon en route to Visayas were also cancelled.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) also suspended the trips in ports of Leyte and Samar including Borongan, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Guiuan, San Isidro, Tabaco starting 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Sea vessel trips en route to Northern Samar have been suspended, according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“In this regard, all trips en route to Northern Samar are hereby suspended due to Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 being hoisted by PAGASA,” the PCG said.

“Moreover, fishing boat, and other small watercraft are not allowed to venture out at sea,” it added.

Authorities advised passengers to check advisories on suspension of trips to avoid being stranded in terminals and ports.

“Mas gusto naman namin na nandito sila sa loob na maghintay kesa sila ay nasa kalye di ba nasa other elements ng init, ulan, at least dito safe sila and secured. Kayang kaya naman po sila akuin or ampunin ng PITX kung saka sakali pong mangyari ang mga bagay na yan,” Jason Salvador, head of corporate affairs and government relations of PITX, said.

(We would prefer them to be here inside to wait than to be on the streets because there are other elements of heat and rain, at least here they are safe and secured. PITX can take them in amid inclement weather.)—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA News