Malacañang suspends classes, gov’t office work in Metro Manila, 12 provinces

Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Monday announced the suspension of classes and work in government offices except those involved in disaster risk reduction and management in Metro Manila and 12 Luzon provinces following the incessant torrential rains since Sunday night.

Besides Metro Manila, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. ordered the suspension of classes in all levels in Pangasinan, Benguet, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas and Occidental Mindoro.

Manuel Quezon III, undersecretary of Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning, also posted in his Twitter account earlyMonday the suspension of classes and work in government offices in the affected areas.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the suspension of classes and work was recommended by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) as tropical storm Maring continued to pummel Metro Manila and the  12 provinces.

The state weather bureau earlier re-issued the red rainfall alert in Metro Manila and the affected provinces in Luzon, expecting severe flooding due to heavy to intense rains.

Several schools in Metro Manila and some provinces as early as Sunday announced the suspension of classes due to the rains.