Verbena now over Sulu Sea; Signal No. 1 up over 13 areas

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised over 13 areas in Luzon and Visayas while Tropical Depression Verbena was passing Sulu Sea on Tuesday morning, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA warned that strong winds with minimal to minor threat to life and property may be encountered in the following areas where TCWS No. 1 is in effect:

Luzon:

• Occidental Mindoro
• Oriental Mindoro
• Romblon
• the northern and central portions of Palawan (Araceli, Taytay, El Nido, Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente, Puerto Princesa City) including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands
• mainland Masbate (Balud, Mandaon, Milagros, Cawayan, Placer, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Uson, Dimasalang, City of Masbate, Mobo, Palanas, Aroroy, Cataingan, Baleno)

Visayas:

• Antique
• Aklan
• Capiz
• Iloilo
• Guimaras
• Negros Occidental
• Negros Oriental
• Cebu

Verbena was last located over the coastal waters of Hamtic, Antique, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

The tropical depression was moving west northwestward at 35 kph.

Verbena is expected to move west northwestward over Sulu Sea, pass near or over Cuyo Islands on Tuesday afternoon.

According to PAGASA, Verbena is seen to make landfall over the northern portion of Palawan on Tuesday evening.

The tropical depression may exit the Philippine area of responsibility early Thursday morning.

“Verbena may reach tropical storm category near the northern portion of Palawan within the next 12 hours,” PAGASA said.

“Further intensification is likely once VERBENA reaches the West Philippine Sea. It may reach its peak intensity on late Thursday or early Friday (28 November),” it added.

Classes, sea trips

Classes for Tuesday, November 25, 2025, were suspended in some areas due to inclement weather from Tropical Depression Verbena.

Trips in 17 seaports were canceled Tuesday, November 25, 2025, due to Verbena.

Meanwhile, more than 5,500 people were stranded at different seaports across the country as Verbena may cause bad sea condition early Tuesday morning, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said. 

In an update, the PCG said 5,576 passengers, truck drivers, and cargo helpers have been stranded at 82 seaports from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. 

Also stranded were 1,936 rolling cargoes, 121 vessels, and 26 motorbancas, according to the PCG. 

Due to the threat of Verbena, a total of 141 vessels and 52 motorbancas were taking shelter. —KG, GMA Integrated News