MANILA, Philippines - Weather over Luzon island is expected to improve Wednesday night as Tropical Storm "Basyang" (international name Conson) leaves the Philippines' area of responsibility, the state weather bureau said.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 10 a.m., the tropical storm was located 150 kilometers southwest of Iba, Zambales, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 120 kph.

It was still moving west at 22 kph, and was expected to move over South China Sea by Wednesday night and move out of the country by Thursday morning.

"Gradual improvement of the weather [will be felt] late today (Wednesday),” a PAGASA forecaster announced during a televised press conference.

Storm signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Metro Manila, Batangas, Laguna, Cavite including Lubang island, Bataan, Zambales, and northern Mindoro.

PAGASA said sea travel in the western sections of central and southern Luzon is still risky as the storm moves out of the country. An earlier report by ABS-CBN Regional Network Group said port authorities in Batangas City have allowed roll on, roll off (ro-ro) trips to resume.

PAGASA chief Prisco Nilo said that the storm directly hit Metro Manila as it made landfall in Infanta, Quezon province on Tuesday night.

PAGASA said that based on the reading of its equipment, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport area was hit hardest by the storm’s gustiness of up to 95 kph.

At least 3 people were killed while 19 more remain missing in the wake of the storm.

PAGASA equipment needs upgrade

Nilo, meanwhile, clarified that President Aquino did not get mad at weather forecasters for failing to predict that Metro Manila will be hit hard by the storm.

“Hindi naman nagalit. Ano lang iyon, normal na comment ng isang Pangulo na kasi gusto niyang ma-improve pa,” the PAGASA chief said.

He added that the weather bureau would need at least P1.2 billion to improve its equipment and allow for more accurate prediction of the weather.

He said that as of now, they still rely on handheld radios and cellular phones to disseminate information.

In an earlier emergency meeting, President Aquino said the missed forecast on Metro Manila was “not acceptable.”

Nilo said that President Aquino only wanted to point out that PAGASA is the prime agency during disaster response situations.

He said that President Aquino has asked them to prepare a list of equipment that needs to be improved.

Stronger storms by October

Nilo said that the PAGASA has not spotted a new incoming storm, but announced that one more storm may hit the country before the end of July.

He said 3 to 4 storms usually hit the country from August to September and stronger weather disturbances arrive from October to December.

Nilo said they are expecting to upgrade their existing weather forecasting equipment before stronger storms hit the country.(ABS-CBN)