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Finally winning not just his first but also his second PBA championship-and getting Finals Most Valuable Player honors in one of those triumphs-is something Rey Nambatac will remember in his maiden season with TNT.

But Nambatac also admitted there were ‘what-ifs’ from that campaign after an injury kept him from helping out in the Tropang 5G’s Grand Slam bid that eventually fell short.

‘Of course, there’s a sense of regret because we didn’t get a Grand Slam,’ Nambatac said in Filipino. ‘There was nothing you could do but cheer on your teammates, even when they’re playing hurt.’

Season 49 saw the arrival of Nambatac in a trade with Blackwater, and his part in the rotation paved the way for TNT’s conquest of the Governors’ Cup over crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra.

He replicated that success in the Commissioner’s Cup, but in a bigger spotlight as the southpaw guard took Finals MVP honors after surviving the same opponent in seven games.

Nambatac, however, sustained a groin injury in the Philippine Cup eliminations and was not reactivated for the playoffs when it appeared that he would be available. TNT still reached the Finals, despite injuries to key men, before losing to San Miguel Beer which cut short dreams of a rare trifecta.

That shortcoming is something Nambatac and the Tropang 5G will use as motivation going into the 50th season, especially with the All-Filipino as the opener.

TNT retooled in the offseason, bringing in Kevin Ferrer and Tyrus Hill while also drafting Sean Quitevis. Jordan Heading and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser are set for full campaigns, and Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy return healthy.

Nambatac, now fully recovered, is also eager to regain his form. ‘I hope I can play the same way I did before the injury entering the all-Filipino,’ Nambatac said. ‘We will put a lot of effort to make sure that we make the playoffs again, and then we’ll see how far we can go.’

Classes at all levels in both public and private schools, as well as work in government and private offices, were suspended on Friday in Ifugao and in most parts of Isabela due to Severe Tropical Storm Paolo (international name: Matmo), according to executive orders issued by the local government units.

In Ifugao, Governor Jerry Dalipog declared a province-wide suspension of classes and work, exempting only frontliners and disaster responders to ensure the safety of residents in affected towns.

In Isabela, class suspensions were enforced in the cities of Cauayan, Ilagan, and Santiago, as well as in the towns of Benito Soliven, San Mariano, and Gamu.

Meanwhile, in Tuguegarao City, classes at all levels were also suspended in both public and private schools, alongside the imposition of a liquor ban.

Disaster response teams across Cagayan Valley have been placed on alert, closely monitoring rivers and waterways while preparing rescue equipment. Authorities have likewise prohibited sea and river fishing, sailing, and swimming throughout the region as a precautionary measure./coa

Survivors of the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit northern Cebu on Sept. 30 face a new battle as they pick the remnants from the rubble-hunger, thirst, and the struggle for shelter.

In San Remigio, families, including young children, endured the scorching sun as they lined the stretch of Cebu North Hagnaya Wharf Road, which connects Bogo City and San Remigio, two of the hardest hit areas.

Written in bold black letters on placards that they held for passing motorists was a simple but desperate message: ‘We need food and water.’

Among those waiting was Jijilen Cabansag, a resident of Barangay Argawanon in San Remigio.

‘[We’re waiting for] relief food and water. We haven’t had a clean water supply since the earthquake Tuesday night. It was sudden and no one was able to prepare and stock food and water,’ Cabansag told the Inquirer.

Desperate calls

Hundreds of families who lost their homes had to sleep in open fields, some even inside plastic bags, to protect themselves from the rain.

Local officials have appealed for urgent provisions, particularly drinking water, ready-to-eat food, tents, blankets, mats, toiletries and hygiene kits.

Communication has also been severed, with mobile signals down across large areas, while the absence of gasoline stations and even functioning ATMs have paralyzed both daily living and relief operations.

In Tabuelan, local resident Jess Colongan painted a dire picture of life after the quake. He said many families slept outdoors or in makeshift tents, fearing strong aftershocks; they also did not have potable water, electricity, and medical assistance, leaving the sick and injured at risk.

In Medellin town, Ludia Booc and her family have yet to receive any food or emergency relief packs since the devastating earthquake struck on Tuesday.

By Thursday, desperation had driven them to scrawl ‘We Need Help’ in chalk on the pavement. Her children and grandchildren joined in, holding up pieces of cardboard with handwritten signs that

‘So far, we only received bottles of drinking water. There’s no food, no electricity, and no running water,’ Booc told the Inquirer in Cebuano.

Several barangays remained in darkness.

Electricity needs

In Poblacion, a space was set up where residents could charge phones and flashlights, but even the barangay’s generator faltered during the Inquirer’s visit.

In nearby Barangay Tambongon, residents turned to a local grocery that offered its generator for free charging.

‘What people need are the basics: food and water. Supplies are scarce, and there’s still no power. We can charge phones here, but even the generator can run out of fuel,’ said Minerva Olasiman, a resident of Tambongon.

Aid pours in

On Thursday, President Marcos and some members of his Cabinet flew to the devastated areas to assess the situation.

The President instructed the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to release P375 million of Local Government Support Fund to help the province in its rehabilitation works.

Marcos said P150 million for the Cebu provincial government alone, and then another P75 million each for the municipalities of San Remigio, Medellin, and Bogo City.

The funds are part of an ‘initial release’ while a full assessment was ongoing to determine additional financial support needed to help the province recover.

According to Mr. Marcos, P50 million of the Office of the President’s ‘donation’ would go to the Cebu provincial government, while another P20 million would be provided for Bogo.

The OP would also provide assistance to nine municipalities: San Remigio and Sogod, which would receive P20 million each; and the municipalities of Bantayan, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Medellin, Santa Fe, Tabogon, and Tabuelan, would get P10 million each.

Mr. Marco said the OP would also donate P20 million for each of the Department of Health-retained hospitals in the province, and P5 million for each provincial hospital.

‘Coordinate donations’

Among the areas the President visited were Barangay Polambato, Bogo City, where nine residents died inside the SM Cares Village, a relocation site for victims of Supertyphoon ‘Yolanda,’ and the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Vincent Ferrer Parish. He later proceeded to the Cebu Provincial Hospital, where he spoke with survivors and assured them of government support.

Cebu Gov. Pamela Baricuatro on Thursday called on donors and volunteers to coordinate only with official channels.

‘By coordinating directly with the Incident Command Centers (ICCs), we can avoid confusion and overlapping efforts during distribution and ensure that the real and urgent needs of affected families are properly addressed,’ Baricuatro said.

She announced that ICCs have been established in San Remigio, Medellin, Daanbantayan, Tabogon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, and Borbon.

These centers serve as official relief and coordination points, ensuring donations are received, accounted for, and distributed equitably among affected barangays.

Cash donations

Cebu City also opened an official account for cash contributions:

Account Name: City of Cebu Trust Fund Proper

Bank: Land Bank of the Philippines

Account Number: 1452-1021-17

For online transfers, donors are requested to send their full name and donation amount to Baby Portia Comendador Basmayor or email [email protected].

Donors are also encouraged to complete an online form for documentation: https://tinyurl.com/yrauf7vy

In-kind donations

Donations, such as nonperishable food, medical supplies, and hygiene items can be delivered to:

Cebu City Hall Legislative Building (front)

Cebu City Public Library

For coordination, contact Portia Basmayor at 0932-3680128.

Appeal for blood donations

The Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City has issued an urgent appeal for blood donors, with over 45 earthquake victims currently admitted-many in critical condition.

Donor Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Contact: 0949-886-5946

Location: VSMMC Subnational Laboratory

Volunteers

Close to 3,000 medical and nonmedical volunteers have already registered at the Cebu Provincial Capitol to assist in relief and recovery efforts.

Relief operations were being scaled up, but access to mountain barangays and hard-to-reach communities remains a major challenge

Severe tropical storm Paolo has maintained its strength while already moving farther from the landmass of the country, the state weather bureau said.

Based on its 8 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Paolo was last located 115 kilometers west-northwest of Bacnotan, La Union.

It is still packing a maximum sustained wind speed of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, with gusts of 135 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 remains hoisted over the following areas:

Western portion of Ilocos Sur (San Vicente, Santa Catalina, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, Narvacan, Santa Maria, San Esteban, Santiago, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, Tagudin)

Northwestern portion of La Union (Luna, Bangar, Balaoan, Bacnotan, San Juan, City of San Fernando)

TCWS No. 2

Southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Nueva Era, Badoc, Pinili, City of Batac, Paoay, Currimao, Banna, Laoag City, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Dingras, Solsona, Marcos, Bacarra, Piddig)

The rest of Ilocos Sur

The rest of La Union

Northern portion of Pangasinan ( Basista, Lingayen, Villasis, City of Alaminos, Anda, Malasiqui, San Fabian, Mangaldan, Mapandan, Burgos, Dagupan City, Binalonan, Bolinao, Aguilar, San Manuel, Sual, Asingan, Labrador, Bani, Pozorrubio, City of Urdaneta, Laoac, Mabini, San Carlos City, Manaoag, Binmaley, San Jacinto, Bugallon, Infanta, Agno, Calasiao, Santa Barbara, Dasol, Sison, San Nicolas)

Abra

Western portion of Kalinga (Tinglayan, Balbalan, Lubuagan, Pasil), the western portion of Mountain Province (Besao, Tadian, Sagada, Bauko, Sadanga, Bontoc, Sabangan)

Western portion of Ifugao (Hungduan, Tinoc)

Benguet

Western portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kayapa, Santa Fe)

TCWS No. 1

The rest of Ilocos Norte

The rest of Pangasinan

Apayao

The rest of Kalinga

The rest of Mountain Province

The rest of Ifugao

The southern portion of Batanes (Mahatao, Uyugan, Basco, Ivana, Sabtang)

Mainland Cagayan including Babuyan Islands

Isabela

Quirino

The rest of Nueva Vizcaya

Zambales

Tarlac

Pampanga

Nueva Ecija

Bulacan

Aurora

Northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta) including Polillo Islands

Paolo, continuously moving west-northwestward at 35 kph, may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday morning.

But it is also forecast to re-intensify into a typhoon category within the next 12 hours.

The reported death toll from the Cebu earthquake has dropped to 68 from the initial tally of 72 due to ‘double entry’, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s (NDRRMC) reported Friday.

The Office of Civil Defense, the implementing arm of the NDRRMC, clarified that the earlier report came from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Cebu, while the latest figures are from the Management of the Dead and Missing (MDM) cluster.

‘It’s a matter of double entry,’ OCD-VII Regional Director Joel Erestain said in a statement sent to reporters.

Erestain said, ‘adjustment is being made once names and other documents are submitted to the activated MDM cluster.’

OCD deputy spokesperson Diego Mariano said the MDM, will now serve as the standard source for casualty figures.

‘The numbers may increase or decrease as validation by the MDM is ongoing,’ Mariano told reporters.

All 68 reported deaths have death certificates already, according to Mariano.

However, Erestain said official police spot reports and death certificates are not complete yet.

‘Hence this total number is still for verification and validation,’ Erestain said.

Meanwhile, the reported 599 injuries, are still subject to validation, while the agency has not reported any missing individuals as of Friday.

Thousands of houses, buildings damaged

Total infrastructure damage has yet to be fully documented, but thousands of homes and public buildings were destroyed by the earthquake.

So far, 5,013 houses were damaged, of which 4,355 were partially damaged and 658 were destroyed.

The magnitude 6.9 earthquake affected 366,360 people in the region, with only 1,795 currently staying in evacuation centers.

The quake struck at 9:59 p.m. on Tuesday, with its epicenter located 21 kilometers northeast of Bogo City, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

More aftershocks

Phivolcs has continued to record aftershocks, which it says may persist for weeks.

As of 8:00 a.m. on Friday, state seismologists reported 3,952 aftershocks, ranging from magnitude 1 to 5.1.

Located on the Pacific ‘Ring of Fire,’ where tectonic plates frequently collide, the Philippines experiences regular earthquakes and volcanic activity./mcm

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday announced the signing of a memorandum of agreement among various government agencies and the local government units in Pampanga in a bid to fight illegal recruitment and human trafficking.

He said this in his speech during the distribution of Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo sa mga OFWs na Nangangailangan (AKSYON) fund assistance in San Fernando, Pampanga.

‘A Memorandum of Agreement was recently signed between the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Labor and Employment, TESDA [Technical Education and Skills Development Authority], and OWWA [Overseas Workers Welfare Administration], along with local government units and the Provincial Government of Pampanga,’ Marcos said.

‘And under this agreement, the member agencies, in partnership with the local government of Pampanga, will implement programs against illegal recruitment and human trafficking,’ he continued.

The President also commended the OFWs for their sacrifices as well as for representing the Philippines globally.

‘No words can express our gratitude for your sacrifice, for your love for your families, for your countrymen, and for your beloved Republic of the Philippines,’ he said.

During the event. 3,000 OFWs and individuals who have OFW relatives from 22 calamity-stricken towns in the province received P5,000 through the DMW’s AKSYON Fund Assistance.

They will also receive an additional P5,000 from the Office of the President. These will aid them get back on their feet after the recent typhoons that struck the province.

The massive protest rallies in September said it all: people are clamoring for accountability for the substandard and ghost flood control projects that had submerged entire provinces in murky waters after several typhoons. Enough! People raged, demanding an end to the corruption abetted by complicit officials and greedy contractors.

That such unconscionable misuse of public funds was shielded from public scrutiny for so long-no thanks to opaque budget deliberations and congressional insertions-has now pushed enraged citizens to demand more transparency in government affairs.

This includes the ongoing investigation by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), which was created to investigate anomalies in multibillion-peso public works projects.

Unlike the Senate and House hearings on corruption, the ICI deliberations will not be live streamed, maintained its executive director Brian Hosaka. ‘The ICI is avoiding trial by publicity and will not allow itself to be used for any political leverage or agenda by any individual or group,’ he explained.

The commission’s initial hearings, Hosaka added, ‘are for purposes of case buildup for criminal, civil, and administrative action’ from the appropriate government agency. The ICI has so far submitted its first interim report to the Office of the Ombudsman, recommending the possible filing of graft, malversation, and falsification charges against former Ako Bicol party list Rep. Zaldy Co and several public works officials over a failed dike project in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro.

Huge conspiracy

But while the congressional hearings have indeed been used by unscrupulous politicians for grandstanding to advance and protect their personal interests, the ICI’s stance has been slammed by some quarters who believe that transparency would help build trust in the newly formed body. ‘How else would we know if the details gathered during the initial congressional hearings match those gathered by the ICI? How would Filipinos be assured that this won’t be a cover-up and that its investigation would not protect anyone?’ Mamamayang Liberal party-list Rep. Leila de Lima asked.

‘Now that Filipinos are aware of a huge conspiracy and corruption in flood control and other government projects, we should not deprive them of the chance to understand details and join the discussions,’ she pointed out.

Added Akbayan party list Rep. Percival Cendaña: ‘There’s no real accountability without transparency. Let the people in. It is the right of the people whose funds worth billions have been stolen to watch the proceedings of the ICI,’ he said. As for the risk of ‘trial by publicity,’ People’s Budget Coalition co-convener Ken Abante suggested that ‘well-organized hearings with clear questions [could] prevent witch hunts or politicking by rival camps.’

Heavy cloud of doubt

With the anticorruption hearings stirring up widespread public interest, a more accessible ICI probe would also allow people to focus not just on the accused but on the investigators as well, De Lima said.

The ICI is headed by retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes Jr., an appointee of former President Rodrigo Duterte, under whose term most of the dubious contracts were signed. Similarly laboring under a heavy cloud of doubt, ICI special adviser Benjamin Magalong recently resigned over a possible conflict of interest in his dual role in the ICI and as concurrent mayor of Baguio City, where a tennis court project was found to have been awarded to a Discaya-owned firm. The Discayas are among the contractors being probed for their alleged involvement in defective government projects.

Making ICI proceedings accessible to the public could de-escalate matters as well, said Sen. Kiko Pangilinan. ‘Do not test the people’s desire to know the truth, lest ICI members wake up to find protest rallies in front of their homes,’ he warned.

Piecemeal revelations

The ICI is unfazed by the misgivings, it seems. Its investigation is a ‘process’ that cannot be defined by piecemeal revelations, Hosaka said, adding: ‘We want the people to trust the system and (know that) in the independent commission, we will be doing our jobs fairly, objectively, and independently.’

While livestreaming may be out of the question at the moment, Hosaka said the ICI will look for a solution that would ‘both balance the request for more transparency and the protection of individual rights.’ Surely, the ICI can consider giving regular media briefings or allowing a pooled coverage of its hearings.

While the public should give the ICI the benefit of the doubt and ‘trust’ its proceedings, transparency will help make their investigations more credible.

The Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), in partnership with Netflix, on Thursday, Oct. 2, hosted a seminar amid rising risks of inappropriate content consumption online and excessive screen time among young children.

MTRCB Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer Diorella Maria Gamboa Sotto-Antonio led the seminar, which was attended by over 100 parents, educators, child protection advocates, and industry leaders, and which aimed to empower families in guiding children toward safe and responsible media consumption while ensuring an enriching digital experience.

Sotto-Antonio reaffirmed the Board’s longstanding mandate to protect children, empower parents and promote responsible viewing through the seminar with the theme ‘Stream Smarter: Responsible Parenting in the Age of Digital Media.’

She underscored the importance of media literacy and parental involvement, noting that while technology provides tools, active guidance from families ultimately makes the difference.

‘We remain committed to promoting and strengthening media literacy, digital responsibility and parental empowerment, helping families make informed choices in the digital age,’ she said.

As part of its flagship Responsableng Panonood campaign, the MTRCB introduced PROTECT, a simple framework to help parents manage children’s media use. The acronym stands for:

P – Provide guidelines on age-appropriate content, starting media education at home;

R – Regulate screen time and set healthy limits to balance digital and recreational activities;

O – Observe co-viewing to create opportunities for discussion and critical thinking;

T – Teach media literacy to help children verify facts and think critically;

E – Educate on both the positive and harmful effects of media;

C – Create a family viewing plan that supports holistic development;

T – Take the lead by modeling responsible media habits.

Netflix Global Affairs Southeast Asia Director Ruben Hattari expressed support for the initiative, stressing the shared responsibility of parents, educators and industry leaders.

‘This initiative is a timely reminder that our role is not only to provide access to entertainment but also to ensure that families are equipped to make informed and responsible choices in today’s digital age,’ Hattari said.

He said Netflix has features that help parents manage what children watch through their service.

‘Learn it, share it to all your friends, and also discuss it with your kids as well. Please do not use these features as punishment tool, because they need to understand your reason and rationale,’ he added.

The event also featured a panel discussion titled ‘From Screen Time to Smart Time,’ with representatives from MTRCB, Netflix, Stairway Foundation, Safe Schools Philippines and the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT).

The dialogue tackled parental controls, content classification and collaborative efforts to make digital media safer and more beneficial for Filipino families.

NCCT Chairperson Luis Gatmaitan advised parents and guardians to let their children watch general patronage-rated films, programs or online content.

‘I will also recommend films or TV series adapted from books, children books, because you know these materials have already been vetted so you are sure that contents are age-appropriate,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Stairway Foundation Child Protection specialist Ysrael Diloy told parents and guardians that they need not be tech-savvy to monitor and guide their children’s online activities.

‘You are a parent regardless of the technology platform, thus, what we teach children is not technology, it’s about the main skills, social intelligence in navigating this digital space, you just need to impart the same values that you want to create even if you’re not around them,’ he added.

Sotto-Antonio encouraged parents and guardians to remain at the forefront of responsible parenting -overseeing what their children, see, learn and absorb in every stage of their lives.

‘With collective effort from government, industry and families, we can ensure that digital media becomes not only a source of entertainment but also a tool for learning, creativity and positive growth,’ she said.

The ongoing pest infestation currently affecting sugarcane farms in Negros Occidental and neighboring areas calls for sugar importation to avert any potential supply shortage.

This is according to Enrique Rojas, president of National Federation of Sugarcane Planters. Rojas said the group supports the Sugar Regulatory Administration’s (SRA) projection of lower sugar output for crop year 2025-2026. This was attributed to the prevalence of red-striped soft scale insects (RSSI) and unfavorable weather conditions.

‘This makes it necessary to import but any importation should be judiciously managed in terms of the volume and timing of arrival, so that our farmers will not be placed at a disadvantage against these cheaper, subsidized imported sugar,’ Rojas said in a message.

Rojas also said production in the past crop years has been insufficient to meet the demand for the sweetener.

The SRA estimated that sugar production would decrease by 7.9 percent to 1.92 million metric tons (MT) in crop year 2025-2026. This would come down from the actual output of 2.09 million in the previous crop year.

In Sugar Order No. 1 for the current crop year, the SRA said the potential production decline is due to the RSSI infestation and excessive rainfall in Negros.

With this, the SRA designated all sugar production for the current season for domestic consumption.

Rojas said the RSSI ‘has undoubtedly damaged’ sugarcane crops in Negros. The island accounts for 65 percent of the country’s sugar production.

Hope for recovery

‘Hopefully, after all the RSSI-affected canes are harvested in the early months of the season, our prospective crops can recover and we can produce enough sugar to fill our domestic demand, so that there will be no need for sugar importation in the coming crop years,’ he added.

The SRA reported the first RSSI case in May affecting certain sugarcane plantations in Negros Occidental.

According to the agency, the pest attacks sugarcane leaves and reduces sugar content of infested sugarcanes by as much as 50 percent if not contained. It can cause yellowing leaves, stunted growth and shortened internodes,

In June, the Department of Agriculture allotted P10 million in financial assistance to support efforts to eliminate the pest disease.

The SRA issued an order requiring industry stakeholders to secure a permit before transporting sugarcane plants and planting materials. This is intended to prevent the spread of pests and diseases in sugarcane areas. /rwd

Typhoon Paolo (international name: Matmo) made landfall in Dinapigue, Isabela, at 9 a.m., the state weather bureau reported Friday, Oct. 3.

In its latest update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Paolo’s center was near San Guillermo, Isabela.

The typhoon packed maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, with gusts up to 215 kph and winds extending 350 kilometers from the eye. It was moving west-northwest at 25 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals were raised for the following areas:

Signal No. 4

The extreme northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran)

The southern portion of Isabela (Dinapigue, San Mariano, Palanan, Roxas, Burgos, Gamu, Naguilian, Benito Soliven, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Aurora, Luna, Reina Mercedes, City of Cauayan, San Mateo, Alicia, Ramon, City of Santiago, Cordon, San Isidro, Echague, Angadanan, San Guillermo, Jones, San Agustin)

The northern portion of Quirino (Diffun, Aglipay, Saguday, Cabarroguis, Maddela)

The northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Solano, Villaverde, Bagabag, Diadi, Quezon, Ambaguio, Bayombong)

Mountain Province

Ifugao

The southern portion of Abra (Tubo)

The northern portion of Benguet (Bakun, Mankayan, Buguias, Kibungan, Kapangan, Atok, Kabayan)

The southern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cervantes, Quirino, Gregorio del Pilar, Sigay, San Emilio, Salcedo, Burgos, Lidlidda, Banayoyo, San Esteban, Santiago, Galimuyod, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santa Cruz, Suyo, Alilem, Tagudin, Sugpon)

The northern portion of La Union (Luna, Bangar, Balaoan, Sudipen, Santol, San Gabriel, BSignal No. 4 Raisedacnotan, San Juan)

Signal No. 3

The northern portion of Aurora (Dinalungan, Dipaculao)

The rest of Isabela

The rest of Quirino

The central portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Bambang, Kayapa, Aritao, Dupax del Norte, Dupax del Sur, Santa Fe)

Kalinga

The central portion of Abra (Boliney, Daguioman, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Lacub, La Paz, San Juan, Lagangilang, Danglas, Lagayan, Tayum, Bangued, Langiden, Pidigan, San Quintin, Pilar, Luba, Manabo, Villaviciosa, San Isidro, Peñarrubia, Bucay, Dolores)

The rest of Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Sur, and the rest of La Union

Signal No. 2

The southern portion of Cagayan (Peñablanca, Tuguegarao City, Solana, Iguig, Tuao, Piat, Rizal, Santo Niño, Alcala, Amulung, Enrile, Baggao)

The rest of Nueva Vizcaya

The southern portion of Apayao (Conner, Kabugao)

The rest of Abra

The southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Nueva Era, Badoc, Pinili, City of Batac, Paoay, Currimao, Banna, Laoag City, San Nicolas, Sarrat, Dingras, Solsona, Marcos, Bacarra, Piddig)

The northern portion of Pangasinan ( San Fabian, Sison, Pozorrubio, Umingan, San Jacinto, Laoac, Binalonan, San Nicolas, Natividad, Tayug, San Manuel, Asingan, Santa Maria, San Quintin, Dagupan City, Mangaldan, Manaoag, Bolinao, Anda, Bani, City of Alaminos, Sual, Labrador, Lingayen, Binmaley, Calasiao, Mapandan, Santa Barbara, City of Urdaneta)

The central portion of Aurora (Baler, Maria Aurora, San Luis)

The northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Bongabon, San Jose City, Pantabangan, Rizal, Lupao)

Signal No. 1

The rest of mainland Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands

The rest of Aurora

The northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta), including Polillo Islands

Camarines Norte

The rest of Apayao

The rest of Ilocos Norte

The rest of Pangasinan

The rest of Nueva Ecija

The northern portion of Bulacan (Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, Norzagaray, San Rafael, Angat)

Tarlac

The northeastern portion of Pampanga (Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Mabalacat City)

The northern portion of Zambales (Palauig, Masinloc, Candelaria, Santa Cruz)

Pagasa also warned of storm surges up to three meters in coastal areas of northern and Central Luzon.

‘There is a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge, with peak heights reaching 1.0 to 3.0 meters within 24 hours, over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and Quezon,’ the agency said.

Metro Manila, Batanes, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, the Bicol Region, Panay Island, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, and Northern and Eastern Samar are expected to experience strong to gale-force gusts due to Paolo’s periphery on Friday.

The same conditions are expected for Batanes, Cagayan-including the Babuyan Islands-the Ilocos Region, Zambales, and Bataan on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Paolo is forecast to cross the northern Luzon landmass on Friday and emerge over the West Philippine Sea by afternoon or evening. It is expected to continue moving west-northwestward until it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday morning./mcm/abc