Bicol: The Philippine Coast Guard in Bicol (PCG-5) reported on Friday that 2,650 passengers are stranded across Bicol ports due to the suspension of sea travel caused by Tropical Depression Wilma. In an interview, PCG-Bicol Commander Commodore Ivan Roldan said various Coast Guard stations in the eastern parts of Catanduanes, Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and Sorsogon issued suspensions of sea travel on Thursday for vessels with a gross tonnage of 250 and below, due to extremely rough sea conditions.

According to Philippines News Agency, the majority of the stranded passengers are in Sorsogon, with 2,185 travelers destined for the Visayas and Mindanao stuck at Matnog Port and 140 passengers at Castilla Port, both in Sorsogon province. In Masbate province, Mobo Port has 188 stranded passengers, while Mintac Port reports 118 passengers unable to travel. Some 11 passengers are also stranded at Pasacao Port in Camarines Sur.

About 730 rolling cargoes and two sea vessels are unable to depart from ports, while 19 sea vessels and eight motorboats have sought shelter as a precautionary measure. No stranded passengers have been recorded in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Norte, and Catanduanes.

Roldan, through sub-station commanders, has instructed vessel operators to implement precautionary measures and closely monitor updates related to the weather disturbance. He added that Deployable Response Groups, along with stations and substations across the region, are activated as part of disaster response efforts to ensure readiness for emergencies. A total of 86 groups and 437 personnel, as well as 10 land assets and 20 floating assets, are on standby for potential deployment in evacuation, rescue, and response operations.