Work, classes suspended today as storms boost ‘habagat’ rains

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared the suspension of government work and classes in public schools in Metro Manila on September 1 (Friday) due to the continuous rainfall the country is currently experiencing.

Under Memorandum Circular No. 30 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the inclement weather brought by Typhoons “Goring” and “Hanna” and the southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhancing the rains caused today’s suspension of work and classes, which were also halted Thursday afternoon.

Meanwhile, private companies and offices were left to their own discretion to suspend work.

However, the memo said government agencies involved in the delivery of health services, disaster and calamities preparedness, and other vital services are to continue with their work.

Meanwhile, “Goring” caused P357 million in damage to agriculture, affecting 8,483 farmers in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Western Visayas, the Department of Agriculture said Thursday.

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau said Severe Tropical Storm “Hanna” (international name Haikui), and two other tropical cyclones outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) were enhancing the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” causing showers and gusty winds over several parts of the country.

Malacañang on Thursday afternoon suspended government work and classes in all levels in Metro Manila due to bad weather. The suspension took effect at 3 p.m.

Several streets in Metro Manila were also flooded as of Thursday morning due to heavy rains in the previous hours brought by the southwest monsoon.

The DA said the damages represented a production loss of 15,856 metric tons (MT) on about 16,145 hectares of agricultural land. Rice, corn, and high-value crops were affected.

The DA said it had positioned P100 million worth of rice, corn, and assorted vegetable seeds for distribution to affected farms, and drugs and biological drugs for livestock and poultry raisers.

The department will also provide a Quick Response Fund (QRF) for the rehabilitation of affected areas.

As of Thursday, Goring was following a mainly west-northwest path across the waters off Guangdong, China.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday that 305,481 people or 85,395 families were affected by Goring in 1,152 barangays in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas and Cordillera Administrative Region.

Of the affected population, 38,021 people or 10,468 families are staying in 469 evacuation centers, while 30,702 people or 7,880 families are taking shelter in other places.

The NDRRMC said 162 houses were damaged while 85 were destroyed.

Damage to infrastructure amounted to P41 million.

The NDRRMC also reported 187 flooding incidents and 14 landslides.

Power interruptions were experienced in 44 cities and municipalities.

Electricity has been restored in 38 of those areas.

Two areas also experienced water supply problems.

A total of 186 classes and 50 work schedules were suspended due to Goring, the disaster agency added.

Assistance worth P11 million was given to those affected by the typhoon. These include family food packs, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, and financial assistance.

In its daily weather bulletin issued at 4 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 3 a.m., Hanna’s center was observed 1,215 kilometers east of extreme Northern Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

Hanna is moving west-northwest at 20 kph and is forecast to remain far from the landmass. It is unlikely to directly affect the country.

The habagat is forecast to bring occasional monsoon rains over the western portion of Luzon in the next three days.

Forecast rainfall is generally higher in elevated or mountainous areas. Flooding and rain-induced landslides are expected, especially in areas highly susceptible to these hazards, PAGASA said.

The southwest monsoon will also cause gusty conditions over coastal and upland areas in the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Metro Manila, Region 4-A (Calabarzon), Region 4-B (Mimaropa), Bicol Region, Western Visayas, the northern portion of Eastern Visayas; Zambales, Bataan, Aurora, and Bulacan.

No tropical cyclone wind signal was hoisted over any part of the country, and Hanna is less likely to cause rough sea conditions over any seaboard.

The southwest monsoon, however, will cause rough seas over most seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas.

Hanna is forecast to exit PAR on Friday, PAGASA said.

Agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, and performance of vital services, as well as those involved in preparedness and disaster response, will continue their operations and render services.

AirAsia Philippines announced the cancellation of four international flights scheduled for Friday (Sept. 1) due to unfavorable weather conditions brought by Typhoon Goring.

Suspended were flights Z2 1264 and Z2 1265 to and from Hong Kong, and flights Z2 92 and Z2 93 going to and from Macau.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority has reported flooding in the National Capital Region due to continuous rains from Wednesday night until early Thursday morning.

The floods caused slow vehicle movement at various intersections, including Pedro Gil Street and Quirino Avenue, Kalaw Street, and Roxas Boulevard, Jose Abad Santos Avenue and Quiricada Street, and Lacson Street and Espana Boulevard, and the streets of Dela Fuente and Antipolo, all in the City of Manila.

Motorists also encountered knee-deep floods in Rodriguez Avenue, Araneta Avenue, Baloy Street, Maria Clara, and Tuazon Street in Quezon City.

The MMDA also monitored 10-inch deep floods along MacArthur Highway corner Santiago Cuevas, Dalandanan, M.H. Del Pilar Street, and Arkong Bato in Valenzuela.

In Pasay City, a gutter-deep flood was reported along Andrews Avenue.

The MMDA announced that 13 local government units in Metro Manilla have decided to suspend classes in both public and private schools in all levels on Thursday due to bad weather.

The agency blamed the garbage deliberately thrown on the streets as the number one cause of flooding in the metropolis.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes appealed to the public to do their part by managing their garbage properly. He said the trash thrown on the streets clogged the canals, drainage systems, waterways and eventually pumping stations.

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