WORK in government offices today, and classes at all levels in Metro Manila and the Central Luzon and Calabarzon regions were suspended by Malacañang yesterday because of inclement weather brought about by the southwest monsoon (“habagat”) and typhoon “Carina.”
The suspension comes after the Palace suspended work and classes only in Metro Manila yesterday.
In the latest Palace order, the Office of the Executive Secretary said agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services will continue with their operations and render services.
It added that suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their heads.
“In view of the continuous rainfall brought about by the southwest monsoon and typhoon `Carina,’ and to aid in the rescue, recovery, relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector, work in government offices and classes at all levels in Regions III, IV-A and the National Capital Region are hereby suspended on 25 July 2024,” the OES said.
Carina has so far affected 45,328 families from the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, NCR and the Cordillera Administrative Region while the monsoon rains have affected 158,992 families in Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Work at the Senate, House of Representatives, and courts in Metro Manila and several other areas were also suspended yesterday.
“Considering the current weather conditions as reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, please be advised that work in the House of Representatives, including the conduct of the plenary session and committee hearings, are suspended today, July 24,” House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said in a memorandum.
The Senate, in an advisory, said Senate President Francis Escudero declared the suspension of work because of “continuous inclement weather caused by the southwest monsoon and typhoon Carina, the deep flood at the Senate entrance, and the forecast for medium to heavy rains over Metro Manila and nearby areas.”
The Supreme Court, in suspending work, said “considering the forecasted rainfall that is expected to be moderate to heavy due to the southwest monsoon and enhanced by typhoon Carina, as reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, work is suspended for today, July 24, 2024 in all courts and offices in the National Capital Judicial Region.”
Court Administrator Raul Villanueva, in issuing the notice, also reminded courts and offices to remain accessible to lawyers, court users and litigants through their hotline numbers and email addresses.
The SC also suspended work in courts in the following areas due to inclement weather:
All courts in Batanes (July 24-25)
Metropolitan Trial Courts in Cities (MTCC), Family Courts (FC), and Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Antipolo, FC Cainta, RTC Branch 18-FC Cainta, RTC Branch 143 Antipolo sitting in Cainta, MTC Cainta, MTC Taytay (July 24).
All courts in Bataan (July 24).
MTCC San Pablo City, Laguna starting 12 pm (July 24).
MTCC San Fernando City, La Union starting 3 pm (July 24).
All courts under the jurisdiction of RTC Siniloan, Laguna (July 24).
All courts in Trece Martires City, General Trias City, and Tanza, Cavite (July 24).
MTCC San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan (July 24).
All courts under the jurisdiction of RTC Binangonan, Rizal (July 24).
All courts under the jurisdiction of RTC Santa Cruz (July 24).
RTC and MTCC Gapan City, Nueva Ecija (July 24).
MTCC Dasmariñas City, Cavite (July 24).
MTCC, Calamba City, Laguna (July 24).
All courts under the jurisdiction of RTC Lipa City, Batangas (July 24).
All courts under the jurisdiction of RTC Branch 87, Rosario, Batangas (July 24).
All courts in the Tagaytay Hall of Justice, MCTC Silang, MCTC Alfonso, Cavite (July 24).
RTC Branch 86, Taal, Batangas (July 24).
RTC Balayan, Batangas (July 24), and
All courts under the jurisdiction of RTC Batangas City (July 24).
Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs suspended passport and authentication services in its Aseana and DFA Consular Offices (COs) and Temporary Off-Site Passport Services (TOPS) in the National Capital Region Wednesday due to inclement weather.
Unrelated to the inclement weather, the DFA also warns of continued delay in the release of passport submitted on or after July 10 due to the ongoing system maintenance at the printing facility of APO Production Unit, Inc., the DFA’s service provider for passports. — With Ashzel Hachero, Wendell Vigilia, and Raymond Africa
