The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) advised anew vessel captains to strictly follow the Philippine Coast Guard Guidelines on the Movement of Vessels During Heavy Weather, specifically that no vessel of 1,000 gross tons and below shall sail when Public Storm Signal Number 1 is hoisted at the vessel’s point of departure, along her voyage route, or at point of destination.

To prevent maritime accidents that claimed several lives of sea travelers, the PCG earlier issued a new sailing regulation for vessels during heavy weather that barred vessels of 1,000 gross tons and below from sailing when Public Storm Signal No. 1 is raised in either of the vessel's origin route or destination.

Tamayo issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 01-09 entitled "Guidelines on Movement of Vessels During Heavy Weather" which took effect on February 20, 2009.

The circular provides that vessels of 1,000 gross tons and below shall not sail when Public Storm Signal No. 1 is raised in either of the vessel's origin or route or destination.

At Signal No. 2, all vessels regardless of size shall not sail. In both cases, vessels shall only be allowed to leave the port for the purpose of taking shelter from the storm and of which no passenger will be carried while taking shelter.

The guidelines were jointly crafted by the PCG and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in close collaboration with other maritime regulatory bodies such as the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA). The shipping sector and industry experts also actively participated in the crafting of the said Circular. The directive will cover all ships and watercrafts operating within the territorial jurisdiction of the country.

According to Tamayo, the new regulation is a result of government and stakeholder partnership aimed at achieving a substantive balance between maritime safety and the facilitation of trade and commerce. Major shipping groups such as the Philippine Interisland Shipping Association (PISA), Philippine Liner Shipping Association (PLSA), Filipino Shipowners' Association (FSA), Alliance
of Philippine Fishing Federations, Inc., Lighterage Association of the Philippines and the Masters and Mates Association of the Philippines (MMAP) actively took part in crafting the said policy.