Hundreds stranded as sea trips from Negros Occ. to Cebu halted

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – At least 250 passengers were stranded in various seaports in Negros Occidental on Monday, following the suspension of sea trips to Cebu due to Tropical Depression “Agaton.”

Data from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Negros Occidental indicated that 160 passengers were stranded at the Escalante City port, 33 at Sagay City port, and 57 others in San Carlos City port.

Commander Joe Luviz Mercurio, head of PCG northern Negros Occidental, issued an advisory on Sunday suspending all trips of vessels to Tabuelan Cebu via Escalante City, and Toledo Cebu via San Carlos City because of the tropical depression.

The advisory remained in effect on Monday as northern Cebu was placed under a storm signal, according to the PCG.

Trips from Bacolod to Iloilo and vice-versa remain unaffected, according to the PCG.