MALACAÑANG has ordered government offices in several provinces in Luzon to shift to alternative work arrangements amid heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon, locally known as Habagat.
The Office of the Executive Secretary issued Memorandum Circular No. 127, covering government offices in Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, and Occidental Mindoro.
Under the order, public and private schools in the affected areas are also directed to shift to alternative learning modes to ensure the safety of learners.
Agencies providing basic and health services, as well as disaster response operations, shall continue to operate, according to the memorandum.
As of 11 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) had issued an orange rainfall warning over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Rizal, and Pampanga.
These areas were forecast to experience heavy to intense rainfall.
Pagasa said light to moderate rain, with occasional heavy rainfall, may also be experienced over Nueva Ecija and portions of Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Quezon, Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)