MANILA – Batanes is still under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 and may continue to experience gale-force winds due to Typhoon Betty.
In its 11 a.m. bulletin Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the northeastern portion of Isabela (Santa Maria, San Pablo, Divilacan, Maconacon, Palanan, Cabagan), Apayao and Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, remain under TCWS No. 1.
Strong breeze to near gale strength winds may still prevail in these areas.
Signal No. 1 has been lifted in several areas in Luzon as Betty continues to move away from the country.
Betty maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It is moving northeast at 10 kph, and was last tracked 375 km east of Itbayat, Batanes.
Betty is forecast to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will cause occasional to frequent wind gusts over Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Aurora, Quezon, the northern portion of mainland Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands, Mindoro provinces, Romblon, Ilocos Region and Cordillera Administrative Region that are not under any TCWS.
The enhanced southwest monsoon is expected to bring heavy rainfall over Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Antique, northern portion of mainland Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo Islands.
Flight cancellation
The Manila International Airport Authority reported that 18 flights have been canceled as of 12:30 p.m., due to the inclement weather.
These flights are: -- CebGo (DG) 6031/6032 Manila-San Jose (Mindoro)-Manila
-- DG 6055/6056 Manila-Busuanga-Manila
-- DG 6043/6044 Manila-Busuanga-Manila
-- DG 6047/6048 Manila-Busuanga-Manila
-- DG 6051/6052 Manila-Busuanga-Manila
-- DG 6113/6114 Manila-Naga-Manila
-- DG 6117/6118 Manila-Naga-Manila
-- DG 6177/6178 Manila-Masbate-Manila
-- PAL Express (2P)
2037/2038 Manila-Caticlan-Manila
Affected passengers of Cebu Pacific have been advised to avail of free rebooking, refund, or convert the ticket to a travel fund, as options.
The fare difference will apply if the new travel period is beyond 30 days from the original schedule.
PAL earlier announced the cancellation of four flights between Manila and Basco, Batanes scheduled on May 31, in anticipation of the effects of Betty.
These are flights PR 2932/2933, and flights PR 2936/2937, it said. (PNA)
