LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines – At least 1,112 passengers bound for Allen, Samar and 245 trucks were stranded at the Matnog port in Sorsogon yesterday morning due to a lack of roll-on roll-off ferry boats.
Philippine Ports Authority information officer Carol Mendezabal said the PPA has requested the Maritime Industry Authority to deploy two cargo vessels to ferry the stranded trucks, which are loaded with goods for distribution to typhoon victims in Samar, Leyte and parts of Mindanao.
“The additional vessels have no passenger deck and will be able to ferry the 235 trucks before New Year,” said Mendezabal.
The port only handles up to 60 vehicles daily.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard has warned inter-island vessels and passengers of gales along the eastern seaboard of Luzon.