Palace orders remote class, work setup in NCR, 15 provinces

MANILA, Philippines, August 10 ------ Malacañang announced a suspension of face-to-face classes across Metro Manila and 15 provinces as persistent southwest monsoon rains raised the threat of flooding and landslides in already rain-soaked areas.

Under Memorandum Circular 123, the Palace directed public and private schools at all levels in the affected areas to shift to alternative learning modes. Government offices in the same areas were ordered to implement work-from-home arrangements.

The directive covers:

- National Capital Region

- Abra

- Bataan

- Batangas

- Benguet

- Bulacan

- Cavite

- Ilocos Sur

- La Union

- Occidental Mindoro

- Oriental Mindoro

- Pampanga

- Pangasinan

- Rizal

- Tarlac

- Zambales

The Palace issued the order upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in anticipation of continued heavy rainfall from the southwest monsoon. Agencies involved in basic and healthcare services, disaster response and other vital services were directed to continue operations and provide necessary services. Local chief executives in other areas may also order localized class or government work suspensions under existing rules. For private companies and offices, the suspension of work or adoption of alternative work arrangements is left to the discretion of their respective heads.

Source: philstar.com