Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 212 — Tropical Storm "Vinta" kept its strength as it heads for Surigao del Sur, the state weather bureau said.
In its 11 a.m. advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Vinta still carries maximum winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 80 kph.
PAGASA said Vinta is expected to make landfall over the Caraga and Davao Regions between Thursday night and Friday morning.
The agency also said the storm is expected to leave Philippine territory on Monday morning.
The storm was last spotted 340 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur and is still traveling west at 18 kph.
Scattered to widespread and moderate to heavy rains are expected over Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Caraga, Davao Region and Northern Mindanao within the next 24 hours, it added.
The following areas in Mindanao are now under Tropical Cyclone Signal Warning No. 2:
  • Surigao del Norte including Siargao Islands
  • Surigao del Sur
  • Agusan del Norte
  • Agusan del Sur
  • Northern Davao Oriental
Meanwhile, Signal no. 1 was hoisted in the following areas:
In the Visayas:
  • Southern Leyte
  • Southern portion of Leyte province
  • Southern Cebu
  • Siquijor
  • Bohol
In Mindanao:
  • Dinagat Island
  • Camiguin
  • Misamis Oriental
  • Misamis Occidental
  • Bukidnon
  • Lanao del Norte
  • Lanao del Sur
  • North Cotabato
  • Maguindanao
  • Rest of Davao Oriental
  • Northern Davao del Sur
  • Compostela Valley
  • Davao del Norte
  • Zamboanga del Sur
So far, Davao City is the only local government that has announced class suspensions.
Sea travel has been canceled in these areas.
Transport officials and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) also issued advisories to commuters traveling during the holidays and to residents regarding their areas' susceptibility to floods or landslides.

Transport officials cancel inter-island bus services to southern Philippines

Ahead of the approaching cyclone, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Wednesday suspended roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) bus trips to the Visayas and Mindanao.
LTFRB said RoRo bus trips will not be allowed to travel to Mindanao starting 11 p.m.
Earlier, the LTFRB extended the duration of special permits for buses because of the cyclone. This allows them to make trips outside of their authorized route.
Buses may start traveling two days earlier than originally scheduled beginning December 21, 2017 to January 3, 2018, the LTFRB said in a statement Tuesday.
"All drivers are advised to take precautionary measures during their trips," it added.

Interior Dept. to public: Monitor weather advisories, town and city bulletins

The DILG has also urged the public to plan their holidays in line with official weather forecasts.
"Let us celebrate the holiday season with precaution," said DILG officer-in-charge Catalino Cuy in a statement on Wednesday. "Please do not be complacent and take heed of weather advisories, as well as your local government units," he said.
They cited the websites of PAGASA and Project NOAH (or Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards) for further information.
The public and local governments may visit the Mines and Geosciences Bureau's Geohazard Map Portal, which has data and maps on flood-prone and landslide-prone areas.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has likewise advised residents in landslide and flood-prone areas to heed warnings and alerts from the government.
In a press release Wednesday, DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu urged residents staying along Vinta's path to evacuate as soon as they are told to leave, in order to avoid casualties.
"Lives are more important than property. Let us all remain safe and alive, especially during this Christmas season," he said.
He also warned Vinta may change its track unexpectedly and urged residents not to be caught unaware by the cyclone.
He said the DENR has distributed geohazard maps to local government units.
It also has two mobile applications, AlertoPinoy and EnvironMentor, that show environmental information like flood- and landslide-prone areas.

Misamis Oriental, Bukidnon brace for Vinta    

Meanwhile, the Misamis Oriental capitol in Cagayan De Oro was placed under red alert status this weekend as Mindanao braces for Vinta.
Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano issued Tuesday a directive ordering rescuers to ready themselves for Vinta's possible landfall before Christmas Day.
"Kung dili matunaw [if it doesn't dissipate], the provincial government can do only so much. But we've prepared what we can if it happens," Emano said.
Earlier this week, Emano convened all department heads and rescue personnel of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) to discuss rescue measures and relief efforts in case calamity strikes.
Emano said the disaster teams will be on red alert if a typhoon makes its landfall anywhere in Mindanao. He added, rescue assets of the provincial government are now ready.
"I've talked with the Department Heads already and prepared everything by December 23... and even apologized to their families that we might not be able to celebrate Christmas with them because we will be preparing for the calamity," Emano said.
"Hopefully it will not come, but all our heavy equipment are ready," he added.
Emano said the capitol has 500 equipped and trained PDRRMO personnel with different specializations.
Eight province-owned hospitals are also getting ready to address medical needs of residents.
Meanwhile, in Valencia City in Bukidnon, authorities said they are conducting pre-disaster risk assessment in 31 barangays. Many barangays in the city are flood prone, especially those near the Pulangui River. 
Valencia City DRRMO June Valero said barangay personnel have been tasked to give updates to the central communications command officer during the storm.
Valero advised to the public to suspend outdoor activities during the storm.