Classes, government work suspended anew

MANILA, Philippines, July 23 ------ Amid continuous heavy rains spawned by the enhanced southwest monsoon and the entry of Tropical Depression Dante, Malacañang suspended anew work in government offices and classes in all levels in Metro Manila and several other areas in Luzon and the Visayas today.

The number of fatalities due to the combined Severe Tropical Storm Crising (international name Wipha) and the southwest monsoon has climbed to six, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin issued Memorandum Circular 90 yesterday afternoon suspending work and classes in Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Zambales, Tarlac, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, llocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Camarines Sur Catanduanes, Palawan, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Eciia, Laguna and Negros Occidental.

The decision was upon the recommendation of the NDRRMC. However agencies responsible for basic, vital and health services preparedness and response duties must continue to remain operational to ensure continuity of essential government functions, the memo stated. Localized cancellation of classes and/or work in government offices in other regions may be implemented by their respective local chief executives, pursuant to relevant laws, rules and regulations.

The suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective employers. Meanwhile, the reported deaths include a 15-year old from Mambajao, Camiguin whose house was hit by a fallen tree and a 21-year old male from Mainit, Surigao del Norte, who was also struck by a fallen tree. Other reported deaths in Northern Mindanao, Mimaropa, the Davao Region, and Caraga are still being validated along with the missing persons in Western Visayas and Metro Manila.

The NDRRMC said heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides in various parts of the country have so far affected a total of 362,465 families or 1,266,322 persons. Of the number, 4,991 families or 17,116 persons are seeking temporary shelter in some 277 different evacuation centers where their basic needs are being provided for. Hard hit areas include Central Luzon with 186,912 families or 616,611 individuals affected followed by the Negros Island Region (NIR) with 44,378 families or 166,335 persons and Western Visayas with 37,148 families or 131,805 individuals.

As of yesterday, the NDRRMC reported a total of 1,501 damaged houses in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao Region, Soccsksargen, Caraga, BARMM, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) and NIR. Estimated damage to agriculture in the Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon Mimaropa and NIR has so far been placed at more than P54.067 million.

The NDRRMC said estimated damage to infrastructure has now reached more than P413 million in the Ilocos, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao and CAR. Total cost of assistance given to affected families and communities across the country is currently at more than P61.3 million.

Source: philstar.com