CEBU CITY, Cebu May 25 (PIA) -- The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Visayas has announced the posibility of raising a gale warning in Central Visayas over the weekend as Typhoon "Mawar" approaches the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). 

In an interview with Philippine Information Agency (PIA) on May 25, PAGASA Visayas Weather Services Chief Engr. Al Quiblat said that PAGASA may issue a gale warning between the afternoon of May 27 (Saturday) and the morning of May 28 (Sunday).

Quiblat urged the public, especially those who will travel to their respective provinces, to plan their trips ahead of the weekend in order to avoid any inconveniences in their travels.

The issuance of the gale warning will cause an automatic suspension of voyage for sea crafts below 100 tonnage and a possible suspension of all types of sea travel within the region.

"Mag expect ta og light to moderate and occasional heavy rain and dinhi sa Cebu mga around 60 kph nga hangin over the weekend, that is why naay possibility nga maka issue tag Gale Warning (Let's expect light to moderate and occasional heavy rains, and here in Ceb, around 60 kph wind over the weekend. That is why there is a possibility that we will issue a gale warning," said Quiblat.

"As early as today, di natu paabuton og weekend ang ilang biyahe kung asa man sila punta ug kung moari ba silas Cebu. Mobiyahe silag sayu og dili na nila paabuton nga maabtan pa sila sa Gale Warning. Para pud malikayan nila nga ma stranded sa different ports padulong or gikan diri sa Cebu (As early as today, they should schedule their travel ahead of time, wherever they are going. They should travel early and not wait for the Gale Warning to be issued so that they can avoid being stranded at different ports to or from Cebu)," he added.

TY "Mawar" is expected to enter PAR between the evening of May 26 and midnight of May 27.

Once it enters the PAR, it will have the local name TY "Betty."

PAGASA Visayas will be releasing a weather bulletin every three hours once the said typhoon enters the PAR to keep the public updated on the weather conditions in the region. (RGC/PIA7 Cebu)