Philippine transport authorities are advising the public to coordinate with their transport service providers on possible cancellation or rescheduling of trips due to super typhoon Ompong (international name Mangkhut) expected to make landfall in the Cagayan-Isabela area early Saturday morning.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) announced vessel docking and undocking activities in all ports under the Port Management Office of Northern Luzon have been cancelled.
Ompong, packing maximum sustained winds of up to 205 kilometers per hour and 255 kph gusts, continues to threaten Northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in an advisory on September 13.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) in an advisory said it is strengthening monitoring efforts at major ports in the country to ensure the safety of passengers at all times.
MARINA is also advising ship and boat owners to conduct necessary measures to ensure the safety of their operations at sea.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has alerted its districts and stations in Northern and Central Luzon to brace for the possible effects on maritime activities of the tropical storm.
PCG commandant Admiral Elson Hermogino directed all district commanders in areas expected to be hit by the super typhoon to ensure the readiness of all assets and personnel to respond to emergency situations and to coordinate with their respective Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council for possible rescue and related activities.
Hermogino also directed PCG units to prevent all types of interisland vessels from sailing into areas where a public storm signal might be hoisted by PAGASA. The riding public, especially those traveling to Northern Luzon, Southern Tagalog, and nearby provinces, is also advised to check with shipping companies about their trips possibly being cancelled.
PCG said it is coordinating with sister agency Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to prepare the necessary facilities and provisions for passengers that may become stranded at ports because of the typhoon.
PPA is likewise reminding everyone to take all precautionary measures for a safe voyage.
“Everyone is encouraged to coordinate with their respective transport service providers for any trip cancellation and rescheduling. Emergency Response Teams will be available in ports that will be directly affected by the typhoon to provide assistance and aid,” PPA said in a separate advisory.
Similarly, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is encouraging everyone to coordinate with their respective airlines for any announcements of flight cancellations, rescheduling, or rebooking of flights.
It will also post on its social media accounts flight cancellations or any updates on typhoon Ompong to inform everyone ahead of time.
Airlines, meanwhile, said they are monitoring the tropical storm and will issue the necessary public advisories should there be flight cancellations, re-timings or planned delays as a consequence of the typhoon.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation railway sector has conducted a meeting with all three railway operators in Metro Manila—Light Rail Manila Corporation, Light Rail Transit Authority, and Metro Rail Transit Corp.—on their respective disaster risk management strategies and precautionary measures to ensure the readiness of all rail transit systems for the typhoon’s onslaught.
