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The Philippine Ports Authority directed all port management offices to prepare for the impact of tropical depression Kristine
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To mitigate potential impact of the tropical depression, PMOs are required to conduct comprehensive pre-disaster risk assessments of their facilities and infrastructure
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PMOs are also instructed to enhance their respective passenger assistance desks to better serve the expected increased number of passengers during this year’s observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) directed all port management offices (PMO) to prepare for the impact of tropical depression Kristine and the anticipated increase in passenger volume during this year’s observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day to ensure safety and efficiency during these critical periods.
To mitigate the potential impacts of the tropical depression, PMOs are required to conduct comprehensive pre-disaster risk assessments of their facilities and infrastructure, PPA said in a statement.
These include identifying vulnerabilities and implementing preventive measures to safeguard against damage and disruptions.
PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago also directed PMOs to coordinate closely with agencies such as the Philippine Coast Guard and local disaster risk reduction and management offices to stay updated on the storm’s trajectory and receive timely safety advisories.
“The safety and convenience of our personnel and passengers during these critical periods are our utmost priorities,” Santiago said.
“Emergency response teams of each PMO should be activated, and safety protocols must be reinforced to protect both personnel and port users,” the PPA chief added.
Tropical depression Kristine is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm and may reach severe tropical storm category by October 23 and typhoon category by October 24 evening or October 25 morning, prior to making landfall over the northeastern portion of Cagayan.
As of 12:00 p.m. of October 21, 2024, there were 566 passengers stranded at Bicol ports due to cancelled trips, including route from Virac/San Andres, Catanduanes to Tabaco, Albay. Several shipping lines from Masbate also announced cancelled trips due to inclement weather condition.
PPA said PMOs have promptly acted on Santiago’s directive.
At PMO Western Biliran, where all trips at the port have been canceled, port police and operations personnel conducted inspections to ensure that important documents were in safe locations, while also organizing safety and security signage and setting up tents to prevent damage.
PMO Masbate and Negros Occidental/Bacolod/Banago Bredco have established faster communication channels among relevant agencies regarding port operations and public safety.
PMO Northern Luzon has already sent Notices to Seek Shelter/Notices to Pull Out from Berth to agents and ship captains docked at all its ports to prevent any incidents of damage to port facilities.
PMO Bicol, in addition to preparations within the port, coordination has also been made with local government and school administrations regarding potential relocation of passengers if preventive evacuation becomes necessary.
Free lunches were provided to passengers affected by tropical depression Kristine at the Port of Tabaco in Albay on October 21. More than 500 passengers benefited from the free meal, which is the result of the ongoing coordination between PMO Bicol/terminal management office-Tabaco, the provincial government of Catanduanes, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. It is expected that food assistance will continue for the affected passengers while their ferry trips remain suspended.
Meanwhile, as observance of this year’s All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in November approaches, PMOs are also instructed to enhance their respective passenger assistance desks to better serve the expected increased number of passengers, ensuring that adequate staff are available to provide information, guidance, and support.
