Palace apologizes for late announcement on gov’t work suspension

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Tuesday apologized to government employees who had already left their residences for their respective work places by the time work was declared suspended in Metro Manila due to the onslaught of Typhoon Pedring.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said it was already 5:30 a.m. when they received word from the National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the state-run weather bureau, indicating the need to suspend work in government offices in Metro Manila.

Malacañang announced the cancellation of work around 7 a.m. Tuesday. By then, a good number of employees had already left their homes amid wind and rain.

“We ask for pardon if it was a bit late but I think we were able to prevent a number of government employees also from leaving,” Lacierda said.

“We were waiting for NDRRMC because they are the nerve center…. I talked with (Pagasa chief and Science Undersecretary Graciano) Yumul around 5:30 or even later so we had to coordinate with the other officials,” he added.