Rains seen in Metro on Aquino’s SONA day

MANILA, Philippines—Streets around the Batasang Pambansa as well as the rest of Metro Manila might see rains late afternoon and early evening on Monday during President Aquino’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA), the weather bureau said on Sunday.

Weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said rain showers could be expected in parts of Luzon and the eastern seaboard on Monday as a low pressure area (LPA) brewing over the Pacific Ocean continued to stir the active Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ).

“There might be rains tomorrow (Monday), maybe in the afternoon or evening,” said Aurelio when asked about the weather outlook for Metro Manila.

He said the ITCZ carried heavy cloud bands likely to bring thunderstorms over parts of the country, including Eastern Visayas and Mindanao.

The effects of this weather system have been enhanced by the LPA spotted some 450 kilometers east northeast of Borongan, Samar as of Sunday morning, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

“These weather systems are expected to bring scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. However, widespread rains are likely in Bicol Region, eastern Visayas and eastern Mindanao, which may trigger flashfloods and landslides,” Pagasa said.

Up to 8,000 protesters are expected to march on the streets on Monday to coincide with the President’s state SONA protests.