Bacolod (December 14) -- Hundreds of pumpboat passengers for the island province of Guimaras became stranded last Saturday after the Philippine Coastguard canceled the trips to the island due to tropical storm Seniang.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) declared portions of Panay and Guimaras under typhoon signal number 2 before noon of Saturday. Trips of vessels between Iloilo City and Bacolod City were also
canceled.

An official from the Philippine Coastguard Western Visayas said there is an existing regulation that trips to Guimaras and Bacolod are automatically canceled once the Pagasa declares the area under signal number 2.

Stranded passengers for Guimaras insisted that they be allowed to cross the Guimaras Strait as the seawaters were still calm but authorities did not heed their call.

"We are just following orders. This is for your safety," the Coastguard official merely answered.

Having no choice, the stranded passengers went back to the city and stayed with their relatives while others opted to look for places to stay

Travel between Guimaras and Iloilo City has two points, the Parola wharf for those going to Buenavista town and the Ortiz wharf for those going to the municipality of Jordan.

Travel normally lasts from 15 to 20 minutes.

Pagasa reported that typhoon Seniang made a landfall over Guian, Eastern Samar by noon of Saturday.

It has maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 140 kph and was moving west at 22 kph.

As of noon Saturday the bureau hoisted public storm warning signal number 3 over Samar provinces, Leyte and Biliran Island.

It raised signal number 2 over Sorsogon, Masbate, Romblon, Aklan, Capiz, Northern Iloilo, Northern Antique, Northern Negros, Northern Cebu, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Island and Siargao Island.

It hoisted signal number 1 over Catanduanes, Albay, Southern Mindoro, Burias Island, rest of Iloilo, rest of Antique, Guimaras, Cuyo Island, rest of Negros, rest of Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, Surigao del Norte and Camiguin Island.