MANILA - Signal number 2 has been raised over at least nine areas after Marce (international name: Tokage) intensified into a tropical storm as it moved towards the Panay group of islands Friday morning, the state weather bureau said.

The areas under signal number 2 are:

- Romblon
- Calamian Group of Islands
- Southern Occidental Mindoro
- Southern Oriental Mindoro
- Northern Negros Occidental
- Iloilo
- Capiz
- Aklan
- Northern Antique

The following areas were placed under signal number 1:

- Northern Palawan
- Cuyo Island
- Rest of Oriental Mindoro
- Rest of Occidental Mindoro
- Lubang Island
- Masbate
- Burias and Ticao Island
- Biliran
- Samar
- Northern Samar
- Eastern Samar
- Leyte
- Southern Leyte
- Bohol
- Cebu
- Bantayan and Camotes Island
- Negros Oriental
- Rest of Negros Occidental
- Guimaras

In its 5 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said Marce was packing maximum sustained winds of up to 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 110 kph.

The tropical storm was moving west-northwest at 24 kph.

It was spotted 85 kilometers east-southeast of Roxas City, Capiz.

PAGASA said rice and corn fields, as well as old establishments made of light materials and makeshift shanties are expected to be damaged.

The state weather bureau has also warned against sea travel over the northern and eastern seaboards of northern Luzon and seaboards of central and southern Luzon.

Marce is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Sunday evening.