MANILA – The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) on Wednesday immediately suspended port operations in high-risk areas in response to a tsunami advisory following the magnitude 8.7 earthquake off Kamchatka, Russia.
In a statement, PPA General Manager Jay Santiago has instructed all PPA Port Management Offices (PMOs) in identified high-risk areas in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao to suspend all port operations involving passenger embarkation and disembarkation, as well as cargo handling, effective noon.
“We urge everyone to remain alert and cooperative as we work closely with our partner agencies to monitor the situation. The safety of our people is our utmost priority,” Santiago said.
The suspension will remain in effect until further notice from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
In Luzon, the affected provinces include Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon.
In the Visayas, Phivolcs issued a tsunami warning in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.
In Mindanao, the affected areas include Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao de Oro.
Alerts have also been issued to all vessels currently docked or approaching ports and advised them to move to deeper waters, if necessary.
“The public is also strongly advised to avoid beaches and coastal areas during the threat period. All floating equipment, small vessels, and vulnerable port assets are being secured, while emergency response teams have been placed on standby until Phivolcs officially declares the threat over,” he said.
On alert
On the other hand, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant, Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, advised all PCG districts to be on alert status, conduct information dissemination, and issue a Notice to Mariners.
Gavan also advised PCG districts to coordinate with local government units, particularly in coastal areas, to ensure alertness and to take precautionary measures against tsunami.
In its 9 a.m. tsunami warning, the Phivolcs advised of a minor sea-level disturbance caused by an earthquake in Russia.
It said coastal areas in the country facing the Pacific Ocean are expected to experience tsunami wave height of less than one meter and the first waves may arrive between 1:20 p.m. and 2:40 p.m. and may continue for hours.|- PNA
