MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang announced a suspension of face-to-face classes across Metro Manila and 15 provinces on Monday, August 10, as persistent southwest monsoon rains raised the threat of flooding and landslides in already rain-soaked areas.
Under Memorandum Circular 123, the Palace directed public and private schools at all levels in the affected areas to shift to alternative learning modes.
Government offices in the same areas were ordered to implement work-from-home arrangements.
The directive covers:
- National Capital Region
- Abra
- Bataan
- Batangas
- Benguet
- Bulacan
- Cavite
- Ilocos Sur
- La Union
- Occidental Mindoro
- Oriental Mindoro
- Pampanga
- Pangasinan
- Rizal
- Tarlac
- Zambales
The Palace issued the order upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in anticipation of continued heavy rainfall from the southwest monsoon.
Agencies involved in basic and healthcare services, disaster response and other vital services were directed to continue operations and provide necessary services.
Local chief executives in other areas may also order localized class or government work suspensions under existing rules.
For private companies and offices, the suspension of work or adoption of alternative work arrangements is left to the discretion of their respective heads.
Heavy rain to continue
The suspensions come as another week of monsoon rain begins across Luzon following days of downpours that disrupted classes and work and left some areas vulnerable to further flooding and landslides.
PAGASA forecast more than 200 millimeters of rain over Benguet on Monday.
Zambales, Bataan and Occidental Mindoro may receive 100 to 200 mm, while Metro Manila and several other Luzon provinces may receive 50 to 100 mm.
The weather bureau warned that rainfall could be higher over mountainous and elevated areas and that the effects may be worsened by significant rain that has already fallen.
PAGASA expects monsoon rainfall to gradually ease beginning Tuesday, although significant rain and the threat of flooding and landslides may persist in some areas.