Philippine Navy Aids Stranded Passengers in Matnog, Sorsogon

Central Command thru Philippine Navy Aids Stranded Passengers in Matnog, Sorsogon

Report received by higher headquarters revealed the congestion of stranded passengers at Matnog Port, Matnog, Sorsogon and a 7-km long queue of vehicles along the highway leading to Matnog, Sorsogon going to Allen, Samar.

Central Command immediately responded thru Naval Forces Central by sending BRP AGTA (LC 290) to Matnog, Sorsogon, with a mission to ferry the stranded passengers and vehicles to Allen, Samar in order to help decongest the port of Matnog until such time that the RORO transport operation can absorb the influx of passengers and vehicles. BRP AGTA departed Captain Veloso Pier, Naval Forces Central on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 arrived in Matnog Port the next day (December 28, 2017).

After series of coordination with the local government units, Philippine Ports Authority and the Philippine Coast Guard, BRP AGTA ferried one hundred nine (109) passengers to Allen, Samar. They were generally referred to as “chance passengers” and they were the ones who commuted from Manila thru buses in the hope of spending the holidays with their families. Unfortunately, upon their arrival in Matnog Port, tickets were no longer available for them to be ferried to Allen, Samar.

The Navy vessel and the passengers were ably assisted by personnel of 803rd Infantry Brigade, 8ID, Philippine Army. The prevailing weather condition made the ferry mission challenging and difficult as strong winds and current affected the ship’s movement. Nevertheless, BRP AGTA safely arrived in Allen, Samar that same afternoon.

Originally posted by Naval Forces Central Facebook Page