Two provinces in the Mimaropa region are placed under storm warning signals Saturday as Typhoon Pepito (Man-yi) approached the country, while neighboring Mindoro provinces remained outside the typhoon’s threat area.

The state weather bureau PAGASA placed Romblon and Marinduque under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, warning of winds between 39 to 61 kilometers per hour in the next 36 hours.

Oriental and Occidental Mindoro were notably absent from the list of areas under storm warnings.

At 7 a.m., Nov. 16, Pepito was located 235 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kph and gusts of up to 215 kph.

The typhoon is moving northwestward at 25 kph and could reach super typhoon status before making landfall.

PAGASA warned of possible storm surge exceeding 3 meters (10 feet) in coastal areas of Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, and parts of Luzon, including Marinduque.

The weather agency advised residents of Romblon and Marinduque to prepare for minimal to minor impacts from strong winds, while sea travel involving small vessels has been suspended in these areas due to rough seas reaching up to 3 meters high.