Passengers stranded in Cebu as sea trips are cancelled due to Basyang

Hundreds of passengers were stranded in a port in Cebu after shipping lines cancelled scheduled trips due to Tropical Storm Basyang.

According to the report of GMA Regional TV Balitang Bisdak’s Alan Domingo in “24 Oras” on Thursday, the stranded passengers had no choice but to spend the night at the pier.

Others slept outside of the pier while some laid down in folding beds and cartons at the ticketing office.

There were also others who spent the night in a nearby gym. Among them are 13 workers from Negros Occidental who were supposed to travel to Bohol.

“We decided to stay here for now in Tinago Gym. We will wait for the storm to exit before we can go on with our trip to Bohol,” said Jofiel Gonzaga in Cebuano.

“It’s difficult if you don’t have a budget. We will stay here for the meantime because we were provided with foam mattresses. We are very thankful to the captain that allowed us to stay here,” said Mark Braganza.

Meanwhile, there are also foreign tourists who were supposed to go to Bohol. But they had to go back to their accommodations in Cebu after their trips were cancelled.

“We are really scared. We don't know what to do. We hope that we can still enjoy our trip to Bohol,” said Joanna Wlodarczak.

The Coast Guard Central Cebu said that they have to cancel the trips for everyone’s safety.

“To our fellow citizens planning to travel by sea, please continue monitoring, especially the updates from PAGASA. We can check online if there are any storm signals in the Province of Cebu and the areas along the vessel's route,” said Coast Guard Central Cebu Captain Jerome Lozada.

As of reporting, data by the Coast Guard showed that 632 passengers are stranded in Cebu. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News