1. Signal No.

1 in 2 dozen areas as Usman slowly approaches

MANILA, Philippines – Signal No. 1 was raised in more areas late Thursday evening, December 27, while
Tropical Depression Usman maintained its strength and slow pace en route to Eastern Visayas.

In a bulletin issued 11 pm on Thursday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical

Services Administration (PAGASA) said Usman is already 330 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern
Samar. It is moving west northwest at 10 kilometers per hour (km/h).

The tropical depression continues to have maximum winds of 55 km/h and gustiness of up to 65 km/h.
But it is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm before hitting land. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical
cyclones, rainfall advisories)

Signal No. 1 is raised in:

 southern part of Quezon

 Marinduque

 Romblon

 Catanduanes

 Camarines Sur

 Albay

 Sorsogon

 Masbate including Ticao Island and Burias Island

 southern part of Oriental Mindoro

 Cuyo Island

 Eastern Samar

 Northern Samar

 Samar

 Biliran

 Leyte

 Southern Leyte

 northern part of Cebu including Camotes Islands

  Aklan

 Capiz

 Iloilo

 Guimaras

 Antique

 northern part of Negros Occidental

 Dinagat Islands

Moderate to heavy rain will continue in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and the Dinagat Islands on Thursday
night.

There will also be moderate to heavy rain in the Visayas, Bicol, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental
Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Quezon on Friday, December 28.

Due to its slow pace, Usman's landfall in Eastern Samar is now projected to happen on Friday evening,
instead of afternoon. After hitting land, it will likelycross Leyte, Panay Island, Sulu Sea, Palawan, and the
West Philippine Sea.

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9. Signal no. 1 up in 28 areas as Samuel nears

MANILA - More areas were placed under signal no. 1 as tropical depression Samuel moved closer to the
Philippines, state weather bureau PAGASA said early Tuesday.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Samuel maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of
55 kilometers per hour (kph), with gusts of up to 65 kph.
Last spotted at 395 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, it is moving northwest at a speed
of 20 kph.

Tropical cyclone warning signal no. 1 is raised over the following areas:

LUZON

• Masbate, including Ticao Island

• Romblon
• Southern Oriental Mindoro
• Southern Occidental Mindoro
• Northern Palawan, including Cuyo Island and Calamian Group of Islands

VISAYAS

• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Samar
• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Bohol
• Cebu
• Siquijor
• Negros Oriental
• Negros Occidental
• Guimaras
• Iloilo
• Capiz
• Aklan
• Antique

MINDANAO

• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• Surigao del Sur
• Agusan del Norte
• Agusan del Sur
• Misamis Oriental
• Camiguin

Courtesy of PAGASA
Residents in areas on the path of the tropical depression should brace for moderate to heavy rains,
which may trigger flooding and landslides.

PAGASA said Samuel is expected to make landfall over the Dinagat-Samar-Leyte area Tuesday night.

 #WalangPasok: Nobyembre 20, Martes dahil sa bagyong Samuel

Classes on Tuesday and Wednesday have been suspended in some areas due to the effects of Samuel.

Several passengers were also stranded after maritime authorities canceled boat trips due to the tropical
depression.

10. Dissecting Data: PH posts 'respectable' economic growth in 2018

MANILA - The Philippine economy posted a slower but "respectable" growth rate in the third quarter of
2018 at 6.1 percent from 6.2 percent in the second quarter, Socioeconomic planning secretary Ernesto
Pernia has said.

Despite the slower growth, analysts said the country's economy remains one of the fastest growing in
the region after at least a 6-percent average growth in 14 consecutive quarters.

Aside from weaker consumption, export and inflation, the reenacted budget for the first few months of
2019 could also affect the country's gross domestic product (GDP) Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno
earlier said.

The World Bank on Friday downgraded its economic growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.4 percent in
2018 and 6.7 percent in 2019, lower than the country's target of 7 to 8 percent.

But a 7-percent economic growth is "doable" in 2019 since inflation has started to ease, Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas' (BSP) Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo earlier said

Inflation slowed in November at 6 percent, government data showed