LPA spotted; rains to continue

MANILA, Philippines — The southwest monsoon will continue to bring rains over Metro Manila, the Ilocos and Cordillera Administrative regions, Babuyan Group of Islands and in the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite and Batangas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

Mimaropa region (provinces of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan), the rest of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Calabarzon region (provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) will experience cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms, also due to the southwest monsoon.

Batanes will be affected by gusty winds because of a tropical depression, which as of 3 p.m. yesterday was still outside the Philippine area of responsibility and estimated at 320 kilometers west northwest of Basco.

With maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph, it is said to be moving east northeast at 15 kph.

PAGASA warned residents in the identified places, especially those living in low-lying and mountainous areas, to be on alert for possible flooding and landslides resulting from heavy rains. 

The weather bureau also monitored a low-pressure area at 510 kilometers east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. This will bring cloudy skies with light to moderate and at times heavy rains over Caraga and Davao regions. This weather system is less likely to become a tropical depression in the next 24 hours, the PAGASA bulletin noted.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) field officers were directed to remain on alert for the possible impact of heavy rains and flashfloods affecting various parts of the country.

In a statement yesterday, acting Social Welfare Secretary Virginia Orogo said the agency is ready to assist local government units that will be affected by the southwest monsoon.

“DSWD is on standby to extend immediate assistance to those who will be affected. We also caution our kababayans in Luzon to take care and be vigilant as the heavy rains may cause flooding and landslides,” she said.

Orogo assured the public that adequate food and non-food items have been prepositioned by the DSWD-field offices in order for them to be immediately distributed in case of emergencies.

Citing reports from its regional offices, she said a pre-emptive evacuation of some 20 families in Batangas and Rizal provinces were conducted because of heavy rains.

An evacuation center was also opened at Sta. Cruz in Zambales to provide temporary shelter to 10 displaced families.   – With Janvic Mateo