ILOILO City Mayor Raisa Treñas on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, recommended the early suspension of work in the private sector and announced the suspension of government work and classes in all levels on July 24 due to enhanced southwest monsoon rains intensified by Tropical Storm Dante and Tropical Depression Emong.
Treñas approved the Iloilo City Operations Center’s recommendation for the early dismissal of private sector employees starting July 23, citing a high risk of torrential rain and flooding in the evening hours.
"Base sa latest forecast sang Pagasa, ma-eksperyensyahan sang aton syudad ang mabaskog nga ulan tubtob sa torrential downpour sugod alas-7 sa gab-i, nga posible magresulta sang pagbaha, flash floods, kag delikado nga biyahe," Treñas said.
(Based on the latest forecast of Pagasa, our city will experience heavy rains up to torrential downpour starting at 7 p.m., which may result in flooding, flash floods, and dangerous travel.)
"While the final discretion yara gihapon sa management sang tagsa ka kumpanya, we strongly urge all private employers to suspend work on or before 7 p.m.," she added.
(While the final discretion still lies with the management of each company, we strongly urge all private employers to suspend work on or before 7 p.m.)
The recommendation aims to prioritize public safety by allowing workers to reach their homes before the worst of the weather hits. It also gives families time to prepare for the storm and enables disaster response and emergency operations to proceed without delay.
"Ini nga rekomendasyon ginahimo agud siguraduhon ang kaluwasan sang mga empleyado sa tunga sang delikado nga kondisyon sa karsada, malikawan ang disgrasya ukon injury, hatagan sang tsansa ang mga pamilya nga makapreparar kag mangin epektibo ang disaster response kag emergency operations," Treñas said.
(This recommendation is made to ensure the safety of employees amid dangerous road conditions, prevent accidents or injuries, give families a chance to prepare and make disaster response and emergency operations effective.)
Treñas also announced the suspension of classes at all levels and government work in Iloilo City for Thursday, July 24, following the guidance of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-Pagasa), the Office of Civil Defense, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“Pursuant to the recommendation of the DILG, and in view of the advisory issued by DOST-Pagasa, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), and the DSWD regarding Tropical Storm Emong, we are adhering to the directive to suspend classes in all levels in Iloilo City tomorrow, Thursday, July 24, 2025,” Treñas said.
“Suspendido man ang trabaho sa mga government offices, maluwas sa mga essential personnel pareho sang mga responders kag emergency services nga kinahanglan magreport kung ginakinahanglan. (Work in government offices is also suspended, except for essential personnel such as responders and emergency services who must report when needed.) All response units under the Iloilo City Government are on standby and fully activated,” she added.
Treñas emphasized that all Iloilo City disaster response units are fully activated, and the Iloilo City Emergency Operations Center has been raised to Red Alert Status.
“We continue to monitor updates to ensure the safety of our constituents. Please remain alert, secure your homes, and coordinate with your barangay officials for any assistance needed,” the mayor urged.
National Storm Advisory
The DILG also issued a national advisory affecting several provinces and cities across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindoro due to the development of Tropical Storm Emong. The storm has moved southwest and is enhancing the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, bringing intense rains across wide areas.
According to the advisory at 2 p.m. on July 23, work and classes are suspended in at least 36 provinces and Metro Manila on July 24, 2025, including Antique and Iloilo in Western Visayas.
1. Nueva Vizcaya
2. Ifugao
3. Mountain Province
4. Nueva Ecija
5. Quezon Province
6. Oriental Mindoro
7. Palawan
8. Marinduque
9. Sorsogon
10. Romblon
11. Masbate
12. Albay
13. Camarines Sur
14. Catanduanes
15. Antique
16. Iloilo
17. Pangasinan
18. Benguet
19. Tarlac
20. Pampanga
21. Bulacan
22. Metro Manila
23. Batangas
24. Laguna
25. Rizal
26. Cavite
27. Cagayan
28. Ilocos Norte
29. Ilocos Sur
30. Abra
31. Kalinga
32. Apayao
33. Zambales
34. Bataan
35. La Union
36. Occidental Mindoro
The heaviest rainfall is expected in Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro.
Authorities warned residents to avoid recreational activities near rivers and waterways.
All government agencies have been mobilized and deployed to at-risk areas. Suspension of work in government offices is effective in all listed provinces, except for essential personnel such as emergency responders. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)