A resident rides a tricycle on their way to an evacuation center as strong winds and rains from Typhoon Hagupit hit Legazpi, Albay province, eastern Philippines on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014. Typhoon Hagupit knocked out power in entire coastal provinces, mowed down trees and sent more than 650,000 people into shelters before it weakened Sunday, sparing the central Philippines a repetition of unprecedented devastation by last year’s storm. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
MANILA, Philippines— Malacañang suspended government work and classes in all levels in the National Capital Region (NCR), Regions 4-A (Calabarzon), and 4-B (Mimaropa) on Monday, December 8, due to heavy rains and strong winds brought by Typhoon “Ruby” (international name: Hagupit).
“By authority of the President, classes at all levels and work in government offices have been suspended by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr. for today, December 8, 2014, except for those agencies whose work involves the delivery of basic and health services, disaster response, and other vital public services,” said Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte early Monday morning.
Valte said that for employees in the private sector, the discretion to suspend work lies with their respective employers.
She added that although this may be the case, the Palace asks private companies to consider the welfare of their employees amid Ruby’s onslaught.
“We urge employers to consider the circumstances of their employees brought about by the effects of Typhoon Ruby,” Valte said.
According to the latest weather bulletin issued at 11 p.m. by Pagasa, Ruby packs maximum sustained winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 170 kph.
Meanwhile, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno also announced, through the official Twitter account of the Supreme Court Public Information Office, that there will be no work in courts in the said areas.
NCR has been placed under Signal No. 2 while Signal No. 3 was hoisted over some provinces in the Mimaropa and Calabarzon areas such as Marinduque, Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Laguna, Batangas, Cavite, southern Quezon and Lubang Island.
Ruby is expected to make its third landfall in the vicinity of Northern Mindoro on Monday evening.
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