Bicol: A total of 2,435 passengers and 1,167 rolling cargoes are stranded in ports across Albay, Masbate, and Sorsogon due to the suspension of sea travel caused by Tropical Storm Ada, the Philippine Coast Guard in Bicol (PCG-5) reported on Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, PCG-Bicol Commander Commodore Ivan Roldan stated that all stations and sub-stations continue to monitor provinces under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 due to Ada. Roldan emphasized that all stations are working closely with their respective Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and Provincial RDDRMC to implement preventive and preemptive measures against the expected impacts of Ada.

The stranded passengers are distributed across several ports: 1,965 in Matnog, 38 in Pilar, and 236 in Castilla, all located in Sorsogon; 50 in Tabaco port, 105 in Pioduran in Albay; 36 in Pasacao port in Camarines Sur, and five in Mobo port in Masbate.

Roldan noted that 391 deployable response groups (DRGs) are on heightened alert, with personnel and essential equipment ready to aid local government emergency response efforts. A total of 86 groups, along with 11 land assets and 20 floating assets, are on standby for possible deployment in evacuation, rescue, and response operations.

Continuous monitoring and safety advisories are being issued to residents living near major river systems in the Bicol Region due to the potential for mudflow (lahar) from Mayon Volcano, which may be triggered by Ada. Roldan explained that the proactive monitoring operations aim to ensure early detection of rising water levels, movement of volcanic debris, and other hazards that could endanger nearby communities, infrastructure, and maritime safety.