Manila, Sept. 24 -- Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) intensified, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 km. per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its 11 a.m. bulletin on Wednesday.

As of 10 a.m., Opong was located 815 km. east of Northeastern Mindanao, moving west southwestward at 15 kph.

Signal No. 1 is hoisted in Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar. Strong winds will prevail in these areas.

Strong to gale-force gusts over caused by the southwest monsoon will also be experienced across Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Zambale...