Over 1,000 individuals were left stranded at various ports in Central Visayas, based on the list of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

In Cebu City, at least 135 passengers were on the list of the Department of Social Welfare Services (DSWS) for immediate assistance.

The Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cebu City provided meals to the stranded passengers. 

Others were taken care of at a facility beside the terminal at Pier 1, while the rest were accommodated at barangay gyms nearby.

The said individuals were bound for Bohol, Leyte, Siquijor, and areas in Mindanao. However,  voyages were suspended due to the risks posed by #OpongPH.

One of the stranded passengers is a mother bound for Baybay City, Leyte. Ivy Ballesteros said that she is excited to go home, but had to wait for the weather to improve.

Two friends who were Siquijor-bound chose to while away time by talking to their loved ones over the phone.

A group from Bohol that attended a gathering in Cebu City was also among stranded passengers who are all thankful that despite the situation, the city’s DSWS took good care of them and provided free breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

However, there were passengers who complained of the cold outside of the terminal where they had to endure the situation.

It is a stringent policy of the port management not to allow passengers inside the departure area of the pier terminal, citing the danger in case of a storm surge.  

According to a list of PCG Central Visayas, at least 1,174 passengers with cancelled trips were stranded in various ports in the region.

A total of 117 vessels was not allowed to travel, including 490 rolling cargos and 16 motorbancas.

Captain Jerome Lozada, station commander of Coast Guard Central Cebu, said that no untoward incidents were reported. While a man was earlier reported to be missing in Camotes Island, Lozada said that the man was already located and is safe.