House sessions, hearings continue but staff urged to prioritize safety

MANILA, Philippines — Activities within the House of Representatives for Tuesday, Sept. 3 will continue but the leadership has urged employees to prioritize their safety after the strong rains and floods caused by Tropical Storm Enteng.

In an advisory on Monday night, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said the plenary session and committee hearings will proceed, but only personnel required for these activities are required to report for work.

However, if employees encounter difficulty in reporting to the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City are also excused.

READ: House budget talks continue but staffers can be excused due to floods

“Plenary session and all Committee hearings in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, will proceed as scheduled. Only personnel directly involved in these activities are required to report for work and continue with their respective tasks,” Velasco said.

READ: House session adjourns quickly due to bad weather caused by Storm Enteng

“We encourage all other employees to remain at home and prioritize their safety.  Those who may encounter difficulties in reporting due to the inclement weather or have been gravely affected by the floods are also excused from their duties,” he added.

Velasco said House staffers and employees may coordinate with their department and office heads for clarification.

“Your commitment and cooperation are deeply valued as we strive to continue our essential legislative work in the face of Typhoon Enteng,” he said.

READ: Palace suspends classes, gov’t work in Metro Manila, Calabarzon on Sept. 3

“For any clarifications, please coordinate with your respective department or office heads. Please stay safe, dry and comfortable,” he added.

Not suspended

Work at the House on Monday was not suspended despite heavy rains and floods, but Velasco assured staffers and employees affected by the bad weather that they can be excused for not physically reporting.

Committee hearings, particularly that of the House committee on appropriations, still went on, with the Department of Education (DepEd) presenting their proposed budget for 2025.

During Monday’s session presided by Deputy Speaker and Cebu 5th District Rep. Duke Frasco, Deputy Majority Leader and La Union 1st District Rep. Paolo Ortega moved that session be adjourned due to inclement weather.

The motion was approved by Frasco.

For Tuesday, the House committee on appropriations is scheduled to hear the proposed budget of the Commission on Human Rights and the Commission on Elections.  The committee on the north Luzon quadrangle and the committee on higher education would also hold their respective hearings.

Earlier, Malacañang announced through Memorandum Circular No. 63 announced that government work, along with classes in all levels, both public and private in Metro Manila are suspended to ensure the safety of people affected by Enteng.

As of posting time, 11 were confirmed dead across the Philippines due to Enteng’s onslaught.