MANILA - A total of 221 passengers have been stranded in 12 ports in four regions due to Tropical Depression Lannie.

In its 8 a.m. update Tuesday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also said 130 rolling cargoes, three vessels, were stranded in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, and Eastern Visayas after sea trips were canceled due to "Lannie".

Meanwhile, a total of seven families or around 30 persons in Barangay Mercedes, Silago, Southern Leyte have been preemptively evacuated to the village's multi-purpose hall due to bad weather.

As of 5 a.m. Tuesday, "Lannie" packing maximum sustained winds of 45 km. per hour near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph. It was last tracked 90 kilometers northwest of Cuyo, Palawan, or 70 kilometers south southeast of Coron, also in Palawan.

The NDRRMC earlier reminded all regional DRRM councils and other relevant agencies to continuously disseminate warnings to the affected areas.

It also reminded local DRRM councils, local government units, and residents of affected areas to brace for the effects of the weather disturbance.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo ordered concerned unit commanders to prepare their respective disaster response teams.

"I ordered all unit commanders to undertake all necessary preparations for disaster response in their areas, especially in the preemptive evacuation of those living in coastal areas, low-lying areas, and landslide-prone areas. The PNP is also coordinating with the Office of Civil Defense and local government units to determine how it can help ensure the safety of our kababayans in areas along the path of the tropical depression," Eleazar said in a statement.

Police personnel are usually tapped in the conduct of preemptive evacuation, search and rescue, and distribution of relief goods to the affected population.

Eleazar also appealed to the public to follow instructions of law enforcers and local chief executives amid the weather disturbance.

"In the event of the establishment of evacuation centers, our police personnel should continue to strictly enforce minimum public health standards among evacuees to curb the spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019)," he added.(with Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)