In line with PPA’s mandate in providing safe, secure, and comfortable transportation, the Port Management Office of Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro activated its Operation Plan (OPLAN) Biyaheng Ayos: UNDAS 2022 that will run from 28 October 2022 until 04 November 2022.
The ports of Cagayan de Oro, Balingoan, Benoni, Balbagon, and Guinsiliban have done the necessary preparations for the expected increase in passenger traffic during this time of year, especially with the resumption of face-to-face classes set on 02 November 2022. Volunteers from the PMO MO/C, PCG, 1001st Auxiliary Squadron, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and PNP – Maritime Group were stationed at these ports and manned the Malasakit Help Desks. However, the long weekend was interrupted as Severe Tropical Storm Paeng entered the country on 28 October 2022, resulting to cancelled trips and hampered operations. Approximately 200 passengers bound for Manila, Cebu, and Bohol were stranded at the Port of Cagayan de Oro as vessels were not cleared by the Philippine Coast Guard due to unfavorable weather conditions. The Coast Guard Substation of Western Misamis Oriental issued Sea Travel Advisory No. 1022-003 stating the wind signals within the area of responsibility, with Camiguin Island under Signal No. 1, suspending all trips thereof including the Port of Balingoan. The personnel of PMO MO/C immediately attended to the stranded passengers at the CDO Port, providing hot meals and Malasakit Hygiene Kits to every individual. The medical team of the Philippine Coast Guard was also on standby at the port, ready to respond to any emergency.
The following day, trips were still suspended as #PaengPH continued with heavy rainfall and strong winds in Luzon and Visayas. PMO MO/C provided the stranded passengers with meals and assisted them in rebooking their trips. The PCG was able to clear vessels for travel on the evening of 29 October 2022. 2Go M/V Maligaya bound for Manila via Cebu immediately started passenger boarding as it had the most passengers stranded at the Port. Passengers bound for Jagna, Bohol were able to depart at 10:00AM the next day. The ports of Balingoan and Camiguin also resumed operations on the same day.
Despite the interruptions caused by TS Paeng, no untoward maritime incidents occurred at the ports under PMO MO/C within the reported period.