House suspends work amid intense rain in Metro Manila due to ‘Florita’

The Batasang Pambansa facade (Photo from the Facebook account of the House of Representatives)

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives suspended work by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday due to inclement weather brought by severe tropical storm Florita (international name: Ma-on).

But House employees who need to stay at the Batasang Pambansa complex can do so provided they have alternative means of transportation.

“Please be advised that in view of inclement weather, office work shall be suspended at 4:00 p.m. today, Aug. 23, 2022,” Velasco said.

“Those who have to stay to complete their assigned tasks may do so, provided they have alternative modes of transportation. The Engineering and Physical Facilities Department and the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms/Legislative Security Bureau will help ensure the safety of our personnel while inside the HRep Complex,” he added.

The directive of Secretary General Reginald Velasco, which was relayed to reporters by the office of Speaker Martin Romualdez, also indicates that only essential personnel or those needed for committee meetings and the plenary session will be required to physically report to work on Wednesday, August 24.

As of 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, 11 committees were scheduled to hold meetings on Wednesday. However, three committees have canceled their meetings — the committees on north Luzon quadrangle, Bicol recovery and economic development, and Muslim affairs.

“Tomorrow, August 24, 2022, only essential personnel or those involved in the committee meetings and plenary session are required to report for work,” Velasco noted.

Earlier, the House majority bloc moved to adjourn the session shortly after starting at 2:00 p.m. as intense to torrential rains were experienced in Metro Manila.

Metro Manila is being affected by the southwest monsoon, but Florita is intensifying it, hence, the abundance of rainfall since Tuesday morning.

The cyclone made landfall over Isabela, placing  several areas over the northern part of Luzon under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 as Florita packed maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 150 kph.

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