Palace: Suspension of gov’t work will depend on Pagasa, NDRRMC, MMDA advice

Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Malacañang has yet to decide whether or not to suspend work in national government on Tuesday pending recommendations from concerned agencies, a spokesman said on Monday.

“Meron hong mga ibang lokal na pamahalaan na nag-suspende na po ng pasok sa kanilang mga paaralan. Ngunit ‘yung sa national government siguro we’ll know by tonight or early morning,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said during a press briefing in Malacañang.

“Normally, hinihintay po ng ating Executive Secretary ang rekomendasyon ng Pagasa, ng NDRRMC and ng MMDA. Makikita po natin kasi ang sinasabi ng Pagasa, ang pinakamalakas daw po na epekto ng Bagyong Ruby mararamdaman daw po sa Metro Manila mamaya sa pagitan ng alas-otso ng gabi hanggang alas-diyes ng gabi,” she said.

Pagasa is Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, NDRRMC is National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council while MMDA is Metro Manila Development Authority.

“Malalaman ho natin, we will be up, we will be monitoring, we will be keeping our ear to the ground para tuluy-tuloy po ‘yung assessment ‘nung magiging impact po nito sa atin,”   Valte added.

Work in all government agencies was suspended this Monday due to Typhoon Ruby, which is expected to hit Metro Manila between 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

While thankful that the typhoon has weakened into a tropical storm, Valte urged   everyone not to be complacent and to continue monitoring the news.

“Iyong suspensiyon po ng trabaho sa pamahalaan at ‘yung suspensiyon po ng pasok ng mga bata ay intended para bigyan po tayo ng oras para maghanda po sa ating mga pamilya at sa ating mga komunidad,” she said.

“So, dapat po patuloy lang po tayong makinig sa radyo, sa ating mga TV, sa social media at ihanda po natin ‘yung mga family emergency kits po natin para maiwasan naman po natin ‘yung aberya,” Valte said.