Government suspends work, classes in NCR, provinces

MANILA (2nd Update 2:41 a.m.) -- Inclement weather brought about by the southwest monsoon on Tuesday suspended work in government and classes in college level in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Upon the recommendation of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), government offices and classes in tertiary level are suspended in the National Capital Region, and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal.

Classes in pre-school to high school were earlier suspended by school and local government authorities late Monday.

Memorandum Circular 33, however, says those agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital public services shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services.

MC 33, which was signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa shall take effect immediately.

Late Monday night, the La Mesa Dam in Quezon City overflowed anew following continuous heavy rains over Metro Manila, prompting the weather bureau to raise red warning signal over Metro Manila.

As of 10 p.m. Monday, the water level at La Mesa Dam was at 80.23 meter, which is already above its spilling level of 80.15 meters.

This is the second time the La Mesa Dam overflowed in the last 24 hours. The dam also reached spilling level at 2 a.m. Monday.

Water that flows down the spillway goes to the Tullahan River and empties into Manila Bay.

It is expected to cause floods in Greater Fairview, North Fairview, Novaliches, and Gulod, San Bartolome, Sta. Monica, and Sta. Lucia up to Valenzuela and Malabon where the Tullahan River passes, dam official George Lantin said.

Flood monitoring at the Marikina River reached second alarm Monday night after the Sto. Niño station water level measurement reached 16.01 meters.

The heavy downpour triggered floods in parts of Metro Manila, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

The heavy rains are caused by the shallow low pressure area and the southwest monsoon affecting Luzon and the Visayas, Pagasa said.

In its twitter account, Pagasa said heavy and intense rains were observed over the metropolis with an accumulated rainfall of 83.5 mm was recorded in Quezon City and 63.5mm over Marikina in the past three hours, while the rest of Metro Manila also experienced heavy to intense rainfall of 10.0 to 30.0 mm/hr.

The weather bureau expects the heavy rains to continue throughout the night.

Pagasa also warned of flooding in low-lying areas and those located near the river channels.

"Residents in high risk areas are advised to take precautionary measures, monitor the weather condition, and watch out for the next warning," it said.

Meanwhile, the MMDA said on its twitter account, as of 9 p.m., Maysilo Circle in Mandaluyong was unpassable to cars and light vehicles due to the waist-deep floods. Traffic was also at a stand-still in Coastal Road, Valenzuela Exit to Camachile in Quezon City and San Mateo, Rizal.

Class suspensions on Tuesday, August 7

Authorities have suspended classes Tuesday in Metro Manila and nearby areas on Monday night.

As of 11 p.m. classesin the following areas and schools were suspended:

* Manila (all levels, public and private)
* Quezon City (pre-school to high school, public and private)
* Caloocan City (pre-school to high school, private and public; public college)
* Las Piñas City (all levels in public and private schools)
* Valenzuela City (classes suspended in the following schools: A. Deato Elementary School, Coloong Elementary School, Isla Elementary School, Pasolo Elementary School, Pio Valenzuela Elementary School, PR San Diego Elementary School, Rincon Elementary School, Tagalag Elementary School, Wawang Pulo Elementary School, Arkong Bato National High School, Nuestra Senora De Guia Academy, San Diego Parochial School)
* Muntinlupa City (classes in all levels and public and private schools are suspended)
* Navotas City (pre-school to high school, public and private)
* Taguig City (all levels, public and private; San Juan - all levels, public and private)
* Pasay City (pre-school to high school, public and private)
* Parañaque (all levels, private and public)
* Makati (all levels, public and private)

Classes on Tuesday were also suspended in the following:

* Laguna province (all levels, public and private)
* Taytay, Rizal (all levels in public and private schools are suspended)
* Binangonan, Rizal (pre-school to high school, public and private)
* Cainta, Rizal (pre-school to high school, public and private, suspended)
* San Pedro, Laguna (all levels)
* Rosario, Cavite; Bacoor, Cavite (all levels, public and private)
* Balanga, Bataan (all levels, public and private)
* Rodriguez, Rizal (all levels, public and private)
* Kawit, Cavite (pre-school to high school, public and private)
* Pilar, Bataan (all levels, public and private)

Classes in the following schools and universities have also been suspended:

* Adamson University
* Ateneo de Manila
* Colegio de San Juan de Letran
* Dela Salle College of St. Benilde
* Dela Salle Santiago Zobel School
* Philippine Christian University
* Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Sta. Mesa
* St. Paul Quezon City - kindergarten to high school
* University of Perpetual Help
* University of the East
* University of the Philippines, Diliman and Manila
* University of Sto. Tomas
* Trinity University of Asia
* Miriam College and Far Eastern University

(Sunnex/With PNA)