MAASIN City and other key areas in Eastern Visayas have suspended classes and work as Tropical Depression “Samuel” is approaching Leyte-Samar on Tuesday evening, November 20.
“As precautionary measure and in anticipation of any development arising from Tropical Depression Samuel, work in all government offices within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Maasin is hereby temporarily suspended tomorrow, November 21, 2018.
“However, suspension of work in all private entities shall be at the discretion of the management thereof,” said Maasin City Mayor Nacional Mercado.
Mercado also urged constituents “to be updated and be vigilant at all times.”
In Tacloban City, Mayor Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez also ordered the temporary suspension of work in all government offices in the city except those involved in the maintenance of peace and order, health and sanitation, traffic management and the disaster risk reduction and management council on Tuesday.
Suspension of classes both in public and private in Tacloban is extended until November 21.
Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez also ordered the suspension of classes in all levels both public and private school until November 21.
Leyte Schools Division Superintendent Ronelo Al Firmo also announced the suspension of classes from elementary, secondary and senior high schools in the province.
In Samar, Catbalogan City Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan has suspended the work in the government and the classes including college level.
In Biliran province, classes were suspended in towns of Naval, Almeria, Kawayan, Maripipi, Caibiran, Biliran, Culaba and Cabucgayan.
As of 5 p.m., Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Samuel is already at 250 kilometers east of Maasin City, Southern Leyte or 165 kilometers east southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
Samuel has a strength maximum winds of up to 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 65kph.
Its movement is west northwest at 20kph, Pagasa said. (SunStar Philppines)