Large areas in Northern Luzon remained under Storm Signal No. 3 as tropical storm "Pepeng" continues to hover near the Ilocos region, slowly inching towards Batanes while interacting with typhoon "Quedan" which has moved northwards towards Japan.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Ilocos Norte, Apayao, as well as northern Cagayan including Babuyan and Calayan Islands were put under Signal No. 3 because of the stormy weather being generated by "Pepeng" which remained almost stationary in the South China Sea since Sunday.

PAGASA director Nathaniel Cruz called on residents living in the extreme northern part of Ilocos, Cordillera, and Cagayan provinces to stay alert for storm surges and 100kph to 185kph winds which can cause heavy damage to agriculture, uproot large trees, destroy houses and disrupt power services.

The weather bureau also declared the rest of Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, and Batanes group of islands under Storm Signal No. 2, which could generate 60 to 100 kph winds and cause moderate damage.

Storm Signal No.1 remained hoisted over La Union, Pangasinan, Mountain Province, Benguet, Ifugao, and Isabela where 30 to 60 kph winds can be expected.

"Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes under Signal Numbers 1, 2, and 3 are advised to take all necessary precautionary measures against flashfloods and landslides while those living along the coasts in areas under Signal Numbers 2 and 3 are advised to be on alert against big waves generated by the storm," Cruz said.

"Pepeng" was monitored in the South China Sea at about 110 kms north northwest of Laoag City, maintaining maximum sustained winds of 105 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph since Monday afternoon.

Cruz explained that "Pepeng" will stay almost in the same position until Thursday, saying that the presence of a ridge of high pressure area near Hong Kong prevents its northwest movement while the presence of Typhoon "Quedan" in the Philippine Sea at about 1,130 kms east southeast of Basco, Batanes as of 11 a.m. Tuesday blocks the storm from moving northeast towards Taiwan.