MANILA, June 2 -- The southwest monsoon (habagat) will cause rains across the country, the weather bureau said Friday.

Monsoon rains will be experienced over Occidental Mindoro, Antique and northern Palawan including Cuyo, Calamian and Kalayaan Islands.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecast Severe Tropical Storm Mawar, formerly known as Betty, to enhance the habagat.

Mawar was last tracked 945 kilometers northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan and the rest of Mimaropa and Western Visayas.

PAGASA sa...