PAGASA: New LPA may become new cyclone by Wednesday

A low-pressure area east of Luzon may develop into a tropical cyclone by Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Sunday. PAGASA acting administrator Nathaniel Servando said the LPA will be codenamed "Ramon," should it become a tropical depression. "The LPA east of Luzon, our prediction shows by Wednesday it will develop into a tropical depression to be called 'Ramon,'" Servando said at a meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Sunday afternoon. President Benigno Aquino III personally attended the NDRRMC meeting. Several parts of Luzon are still reeling from the effects of typhoons "Pedring" (Nesat) and "Quiel" (Nalgae). More than 50 people had been killed while several areas in Bulacan and Pampanga were flooded in the wake of the two cyclones. On Saturday, Department of Science and Technology Undersecretary Graciano Yumul Jr. said the incoming cyclone may target northern Luzon, the same area battered by the previous two cyclones. "Ang malungkot Northern Luzon uli ang tinatahak (What is sad is that it is heading for Northern Luzon)," Yumul said in an interview on dzBB radio Saturday. — KBK, GMA News