Storm “Pepeng” on Wednesday weakened further into a tropical depression but the government’s weather agency Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of continued rain over northern Luzon as the weather disturbance maintaining its slow movement could linger in the area for three or more days.

At 10 a.m. on Tuesday, "Pepeng" (international name: Parma) which originally was a categorized as a strong typhoon was over Isabela 40 kilometers (kms) southeast of Tuguegarao City. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and was forecast to move northeast slowly.

“Pepeng” was forecast to be at 60 kms east southeast of Tuguegarao City Thursday morning; 80 kms east southeast of Tuguegarao City Friday moroning; and 110 kms east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora or 90 kms East Southeast of Tuguegarao City by Saturday morning.

As of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, only Public Storm Warning Signal No. 1 characterized by 30-60 kph winds was hoisted over Batanes group of Islands; Cagayan; Babuyan Island; Calayan Island; Ilocos Norte; Apayao; Abra; Kalinga; Ilocos Sur; Mountain Province; Isabela; and Ifugao province.

PAGASA said that winds from 30 kph to 60 kph can partially unroof nipa and cogon houses; twigs and branches of tress may be broken; some banana plants may tilt or land flat on the ground; damage rice in flowering stage; and make travel by small seacrafts and fishing boats risky.

PAGASA spokesperson Nathaniel Cruz, in a press briefing at 11 a.m. Wednesday, said “Pepeng” is expected to maintain its slow movement away from the country in the coming days and continue to cause rain and occasional gusty winds over Luzon.

Central Luzon and Metro Manila, on the other hand, would experience cloudy weather but the weather office predicts a gradual improvement of weather condition throughout the country by Saturday.