Several government agencies yesterday warned motorists against traveling to the Bicol Region and the Visayas and Mindanao via Matnog Port due to incoming Tropical Storm “Man-yi” (to be named “Pepito”).

In a travel advisory, Land Transportation Office (LTO) chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II said “Man-yi” is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) last night.

“There were already initial agreements with the OCD based on our coordination and part of it is to regularly update the public on the threat of this new weather disturbance,” Mendoza said.

He advised travelers to exercise caution when traveling or stay at home and delay any of their travel instead until the weather improves.

The advisory is in effect starting at 6:00 p.m. on November 14.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) imposed a temporary suspension on all land travel by buses and trucks bound for Visayas and Mindanao via Matnog Port and other areas in the Bicol Region.

The decision is based on the recommendation of the OCD regional office and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to prevent the buildup of stranded passengers and vehicles along Maharlika Highway and other major roads in areas expected to be affected by the tropical storm.

“The LTFRB also advises operators to apply all applicable precautionary measures to ensure the safety of passengers,” the LTFRB advisory read.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Man-yi is on track to enter the PAR and may make landfall over the eastern coast of southern Luzon during the weekend. Its location is 1,220 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao.

The storm may cause potentially hazardous sea conditions over the country’s seaboard of the country starting late Friday, November 15, or Saturday, November 16. (PNA)