Amor Y. Saludar
CEBU, August 4 (PIA)
– The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration
(PAGASA) Visayas is eyeing a possible solution to address the problem
of stranded passengers in ports at the height of a weather
disturbance.
In a press conference held in line
with the observance of National Disaster Consciousness Month on July, PAGASA
Visayas Chief Engr. Oscar Tabada said that a coastal radar that can gather data
on the state of the sea up to 300 km range would be the best solution on
stranded passengers.
“What we want to emphasize here,
even if there is a storm signal expected for the next 36 hours and then
sea vessels are not allowed to sail, the coastal radar will examine and look at
the condition of the sea. If the sea water is calm, then vessels are
allowed to navigate.”
Currently, when a public storm
signal is raised by the state weather bureau, all sea vessels are not allowed
to navigate regardless of its weight.
Tabada also clarified that the
travel time of the vessels will be strictly examined so as not to allow those
travelling more than six hours to avoid risk of the possibility of being
caught by the storm while in the middle of the sea.
He said they are currently
looking for an area where to install the coastal radar, such as in
the southern part of Cebu across the sea to Negros Oriental that will only take
about 45 minutes to one hour of travel. (rmn/ays/PIA7)