Tropical storm "Ada" has brought sea travel in parts of Luzon and the Visayas to a near standstill, leaving almost 9,000 passengers stranded and forcing dozens of vessels to take shelter, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Sunday.
The disruption comes as "Ada" continues to churn near Catanduanes, whipping up rough seas along the country’s eastern seaboard.
Based on the latest consolidated PCG report, a total of 8,757 passengers, 2,769 rolling cargoes, 11 vessels and seven motorbancas were unable to sail as of Sunday. At the same time, 33 vessels opted to ride out the storm in ports rather than risk the hazardous conditions at sea.
In Eastern Visayas, operations were suspended in several ports as waves and strong winds intensified. The ports of Sta. Clara, Dapdap and Looc became temporary refuges for 2,006 passengers and 460 rolling cargoes waiting for safer conditions.
The Bicol Region, which has taken the brunt of Ada’s impact, saw the largest number of stranded travelers. Ports in Matnog, Pilar, Castilla, Mobo, Masbate, Aroroy, Tabaco, Pioduran, Bacacay, Pasacao, Virac and San Andres sheltered 6,171 passengers, 2,280 rolling cargoes and three vessels, while 31 other ships remained under shelter.
In Southern Tagalog, the ports of San Andres, Real, Romblon and Lucena hosted 580 stranded passengers, along with 29 rolling cargoes, eight vessels and seven motorbancas. Two more vessels were also reported to be taking shelter in the area.
On the ground in Catanduanes, Coast Guard units remain on high alert as Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 stays raised over the province.
Deployable Response Groups, sub-stations and mobile teams are focusing on search and rescue operations and providing humanitarian assistance, particularly to stranded travelers and residents affected by flooding and disrupted transport.
The PCG said it is working closely with provincial and municipal disaster risk reduction offices, local government units and other agencies to ensure coordinated preparedness and response. This includes prepositioning assets in vulnerable coastal communities, sharing real-time information on flooding and marine incidents, and preparing for possible evacuations if conditions worsen.
With "Ada" expected to move slowly and continue stirring rough seas along eastern Luzon, authorities urged the public — especially sea travelers — to heed advisories and avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve and regular operations are declared safe.