Isang now over West Philippine Sea; Signal No. 1 in 15 areas

Tropical Depression Isang has begun moving away from Luzon with 15 areas under Signal No. 1, the state weather bureau PAGASA said in its 11 p.m. Friday bulletin.

Placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 were the following areas:

• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Apayao
• Abra
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Lupao) 

At 10 p.m., the center of Isang was located 120 km west northwest of Bacnotan, La Union. It was moving west northwestward at 40 km/h while traversing the West Philippine Sea, with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h and gustiness of up to 85 km/h.

From Friday night to Saturday evening, heavy rainfall is expected in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, and Tarlac due to the tropical cyclone, while the enhanced Southwest Monsoon will affect Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, Metro Manila, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, and Antique. 

Isang, which is forecast to develop into a tropical storm or even a severe tropical storm, may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday morning or afternoon. –VBL, GMA Integrated News