Tropical Storm Mario in PH Weakend's

Tropical storm “Mario” slowed down but has maintained its strength while moving over the Luzon Strait, the state weather bureau said.

In its 11 pm update, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said “Mario” maintained its maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour. Its center, as of 10 pm Friday, was spotted 91 kilometers northwest of Laoag City, Ilocos norte.

“Mario” is moving slow at 17 kilometers per hour and is forecast to be near Southern Taiwan on Saturday night, and completely outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Sunday evening.

Public storm warning signals remain in the following areas:

Signal number 2:
Calayan and Babuyan Group of Islands, Batanes Group of Islands, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte

Signal number 1:
Cagayan, Kalinga, Abra and Ilocos Sur

As "Mario" moves, several areas have been placed under state of calamity as tropical storm "Mario" pounds parts of Luzon.

Officials have declared a state of calamity in Cainta, Rizal and Dagupan, Pangasinan; and in Marikina City where heavy flooding has been reported.

Class suspensions for Saturday:

Two dams are above spilling level as of 4:00 pm, according to Manila Water. Ipo dam water level at Norzagaray, Bulacan is at least 1.73 meters above spilling level while La Mesa dam water level in Quezon City is above spilling level of 80.15 meters.

"Ang La Mesa Dam ay walang gates tulad ng Angat at Ipo na pwedeng buksan kung puno na. Kusa itong umaapaw sa lebel na 80.15m," Manila Water said.

Meanwhile, rainfall warning has been lowered in Metro Manila, said Pagasa.

In its 9 pm update, the Philippine Atmospheric and Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration issued the highest rainfall warning for Nueva Ecija, Zambales, and Tarlac.

Orange rainfall warning (flooding is threatening) over Bataan while the lowest rainfall warning (Yellow warning) is up for Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, and Pampanga.