The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday suspended the operations of the Pasig River Ferry Service (PRFS) after the state weather bureau placed Metro Manila and some areas in Northern and Central Luzon under Signal No. 1 due to Tropical Depression "Pepito."
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said "Pepito" intensified on Monday afternoon.
The MMDA said it will monitor the weather situation and will only resume the operations of PRFS once the agency is sure that it is safe for commuters to travel using the ferry service.
"Our priority is the safety of the public. For now, we are taking all necessary precautionary measures," the agency said.
The operations of the PRFS were suspended several times due to the volume of water hyacinths on Pasig River. The routes of the ferry boats were blocked by the invasive plants.
The operations of PRFS were suspended on October 6 and 14 because of the water hyacinths clogging Pasig River.
The agency said it has been collecting five truckloads of water hyacinths since the start of the rainy season.