Signal No. 2 up over Northern Luzon as 'Florita' intensifies into tropical storm
SAN MARIANO, Isabela – Classes in all levels here and in Santiago City and Cauayan City were suspended before lunch on Monday, Aug. 22, as Signal No. 2 was declared in the whole Isabela province due to weather disturbance ‘Florita’ that has intensified into tropical storm.

The suspension of classes in San Mariano town was readily announced by Mayor Edgar Talosig Go on Monday morning, Aug. 22, after an emergency meeting with personnel of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (MDRRMC).
Several students from the Alibadabad National High School here had to cross the river as they rushed to go home following the suspension of the classes.
"Nasiraan iyong bangka na sinakyan nila, at marahil hindi na makaantay kaya napilitan ng tawirin ang ilog Alibadabad na malapit na rin sa kanilang mga bahay (The boat the students were riding encountered trouble, so they were forced to cross the river in Albadabad),” said Jerome Bumanglag, research and planning officer of MDRRMC.

Santiago City and Cauayan City also decided to suspend the classes in all levels in their area of responsibilities, in anticipation of Florita’s possible landfall in Cagayan and Isabela.
Based on PAGASA’S (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration) 5 p.m. update on Monday, Aug. 22, Florita’s location was estimated at 155 kilometers East of Casiguran, Aurora (16.2°N, 123.6°E).
Florita maintains its strength as it continues to move westward over the Philippine Sea of Aurora, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 90 km/h, and central pressure of 996 hPa.
The state’s weather bureau said the extent of tropical cyclone winds is strong to gale-force that extended outwards up to 270 kms from the center.
Also under signal number 2 are Quirino, the eastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castaneda, Dupax del Norte, Kasibu, Quezon, Bambang, Ambaguio, Bayombong, Solano, Villaverde, Bagabag, Diadi), Apayao, the eastern portion of Abra (Tubo, Boliney, Bucloc, Daguioman, Sallapadan, Licuan-Baay, Malibcong, Lacub, Tineg, Lagangilang, Bucay, Manabo, Luba), Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, and the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora).