By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Bacolod City recently advised sea travelers to monitor the weather amid ongoing heavy rains throughout the province due to the presence of a low pressure area (LPA).
PCG-Bacolod station commander, Lt. Senior Grade Rockcliff Buling, said, if the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issues a storm signal warning or gale warning, sea travel will be suspended.
He added, monitoring will help passengers avoid inconvenience.
As for condition yesterday, Buling said trips at various ports in Negros Occidental, including the Bredco and Banago Ports, remained normal.
Based on a PAGASA weather advisory, a southwest monsoon, or “habagat,” may bring cloudy skies with light to moderate rains over the western sections of Luzon and Visayas. The agency is also monitoring the said LPA, which was located 960 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar as of 3:00 a.m. yesterday, and is expected to intensify into a tropical depression./DGB, WDJ