By Rowena T. Cruz Quezon ports remain closed as Super Typhoon Uwan drives life-threatening conditions toward the province, halting all marit...
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| Quezon ports remain closed as Super Typhoon Uwan drives life-threatening conditions toward the province, halting all maritime activity indefinitely. (Vergel Saripa) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) ordered the temporary suspension of all sea voyages in Quezon Province as Super Typhoon Uwan continues to threaten the region. Heightened precautionary measures are necessary to prevent maritime accidents and ensure public safety amid deteriorating weather conditions across Luzon.
Implementing these necessary precautions, the Coast Guard Station Northern Quezon announced the suspension of voyages for all vessels, including the Polillo Group of Islands. The decision followed the hoisting of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 5 over the islands and TCWS No. 3 over the rest of the province, signaling a threat of devastating winds.
Likewise, the Coast Guard Station Southern Quezon briefly suspended all maritime activities in its jurisdiction. The action resulted from TCWS No. 4 raising over the eastern portion of the province, including Tagkawayan, Calauag, Guinayangan, Perez, Alabat, and Quezon municipalities.
PAGASA Administrator Nathaniel Servando warned that Super Typhoon Uwan continues to intensify and may bring life-threatening winds and heavy rains across large parts of Luzon. He urged everyone to stay indoors and adhere to official advisories.
According to PAGASA’s latest bulletins, Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-Wong) undergoes rapid intensification over the Philippine Sea. Forecasters expect the typhoon to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and possibly make landfall late Sunday or early Monday over southern Isabela or northern Aurora.
The Coast Guard spokesperson, Commodore Roy Echeverria, stated that the agency needed to be fully prepared before the typhoon arrived. He noted that the President ordered them to ensure stranded passengers are taken to safe harbors and that essential cargo routes were prioritized for securing supplies.
PAGASA further cautioned that Uwan’s massive circulation poses a widespread threat across northern and central Luzon. The DSWD estimates that up to 8.4 million people could be affected by the typhoon’s passage, highlighting the national scale of the crisis.
In anticipation of worsening conditions, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) also advised the temporary suspension of all commercial bus trips traversing the eastern seaboard of Quezon. Local government units also restricted vehicle movement in areas under TCWS No. 4 and 5 due to expected flooding and fallen debris.
Initial reports confirmed 450 passengers and dozens of vessels were stranded at ports across Quezon, including Real, Atimonan, and Infanta, following the suspension. Personnel rushed to assist travelers and secured docked vessels.
The DSWD relocated stranded passengers to designated Port Terminal Buildings and local evacuation centers. The DSWD is providing food and hot beverages, as sea travel will remain suspended until weather conditions improve.
When the suspension was ordered, Uwan's center lay 600 kilometers East of Virac, Catanduanes, and was moving West-Northwest at 20 km/h. The agency warned the storm may reach super-typhoon strength, forecasting up to 200 mm of rainfall and storm surges potentially reaching 3–5 meters along coastal areas.
The Coast Guard emphasized that the suspension of sea travel is intended to protect passengers, fishermen, and vessel operators from the severe wind, wave, and rainfall conditions brought by Uwan. Authorities are urging the public to comply with the advisory, remain vigilant, and await further instructions before resuming sea travel.
Residents and travelers are advised to monitor official updates from PAGASA, the Philippine Coast Guard, and local disaster management offices for developments. This proactive monitoring remains essential for minimizing risk until clearance is officially issued.
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