BUTUAN CITY - The Coast Guard District in Northeastern Mindanao (CGD-NEM) reported that 445 passengers remain stranded at ports over the past two days after sea travel was suspended due to Tropical Storm (TS) Kristine. In a statement Wednesday, CGD-NEM said most of the stranded passengers are at ports in Surigao del Norte and the Dinagat Islands, including those in Siargao and the Bucas Grande Islands. 'These numbers may change as we continue to monitor port conditions through our Coast Guard stations in Surigao del Norte and Dinagat Islands,' CGD-NEM said. Based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration's (PAGASA) bulletin as of 2 p.m. Wednesday, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains in effect over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Siargao, and the Bucas Grande Islands due to TS Kristine. CGD-NEM also reported that 11 vessels are stranded, while 189 vessels and 93 motorized bancas are currently taking shelter in various ports across the affected areas. Ad ditionally, 149 rolling cargoes are stranded in Surigao City's ports. To support affected areas, CGD-NEM said 248 personnel are on standby, with 61 already deployed. The agency has also prepared 115 deployable response teams, two vessels, and nine aluminum boats to respond to emergencies. Since Tuesday, the Port Management Office (PMO) in Surigao City has been providing food and other essentials to 67 stranded passengers awaiting the resumption of sea travel. Most of the passengers are bound for Cebu City and Siargao Island and are currently housed in the Eva Macapagal Passenger Terminal in Surigao City. Source: Philippines News Agency