The raising of storm signal 1 for tropical depression “Aghon” last Friday, May 24, 2024, prevented 685 persons from traveling to the mainland after authorities suspended ferry trips to and from the island.
According to the report from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) regional office, there were 347 travelers stranded at San Andres port and another 238 in Virac, with majority of those in the capital town staying outside evacuation centers.
The daily commercial flights last Saturday and Sunday were cancelled due to the weather disturbance.
Most of them were participants of five other Bicol provinces in the recent gathering of Alternative Learning System (ALS) teachers and students while a number were attendees in last week’s 2024 Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week.
They were provided with hot meals by the provincial government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) before they were able to board ferries upon the lifting of the storm signal by Sunday morning.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) also reported that heavy rains brought by the storm caused a rockslide and landslide along the national highway in Mayngaway, San Andres, with only one lane passable.
The obstruction was subsequently removed by a government-owned payloader.
On the other hand, the detour at Kanparel Bridge in Sta. Maria, Panganiban, which is under construction by the DPWH regional office, was damaged by rising water level, rendering it impassable to all kinds of vehicles.