The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) reported on Sunday, December 7, 2025, that Tropical Depression Wilma had weakened into a low pressure area (LPA). The downgrade occurred as the weather system approached the province of Masbate.
Weather Downgrade and Travel Resumption
Following the weakening of Wilma, the Cebu Port Authority and multiple shipping companies announced the immediate resumption of sea voyages. The Philippine Coast Guard stations across Central Visayas officially lifted the temporary suspension they had earlier imposed.
As of 4:00 p.m. on that Sunday, the LPA's center was located in the vicinity of Milagros, Masbate. Pagasa confirmed that no tropical cyclone wind signals were hoisted over any part of the country. The state weather bureau defines a tropical depression as having maximum sustained winds of up to 61 kilometers per hour; a system is downgraded to an LPA when it falls below this threshold and its circulation becomes disorganized.
Persistent Rains and Hazardous Seas
Despite the downgrade, Pagasa cautioned the public that rain showers associated with the lingering LPA and the shear line were still likely. A shear line results from the interaction between the cool northeast monsoon (amihan) and easterly winds, which can trigger heavy rainfall and cause localized flooding.
The weather agency also issued a warning for strong to gale-force monsoon gusts affecting most of Luzon until Tuesday, December 9. These conditions led to dangerous sea states across multiple regions.
Mariners, particularly those operating small vessels, were strongly advised to avoid sailing due to the following conditions:
- Very rough seas with waves up to 5.0 meters along the coasts of Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, the Polillo Islands, and Camarines Norte.
- Rough to very rough seas off Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Catanduanes, northern Quezon, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Northern Samar.
- Moderate to rough seas with waves of 2.0 to 3.5 meters forecast for several seaboards in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, including Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.
Local Impact in Cebu: Flooding and Landslide
In Cebu, the heavy rains on Sunday caused significant disruption. A section of the Transcentral Highway, spanning from Barangay Cansomoroy to Barangay Gaas in Balamban, was inundated by floodwaters.
The Balamban Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported incidents of rockslides and soil erosion in the area, prompting authorities to advise motorists to seek alternate routes.
One dramatic incident involved MSgt. Mohaliden Kamsang Samod, 44, a resident of Tubigagmanok, Asturias. While driving from Balamban toward Cebu City, he encountered a strong flow of water on the highway, which made the road surface extremely slippery.
Attempting a U-turn to return to Balamban, his vehicle was caught by the powerful current and swept off the road. The car plunged down a slope estimated to be 20 to 30 feet deep. Fortunately, Samod managed to escape the accident with only minor injuries.
Residents and travelers are urged to remain vigilant for further advisories from Pagasa and local disaster offices, as weather conditions can change rapidly.
