MALACAÑANG suspended work in all government offices and classes in all public and private schools in Metro Manila and the Calabarzon region today, Tuesday, due to the inclement weather brought about by Tropical Storm “Enteng.”
“In view of the continuous rainfall brought about by the southwest monsoon and Tropical Storm Enteng, and to ensure the safety of the general public, work in government offices and classes at all levels in the National Capital Region and Region IV-A (Calabarzon) are hereby suspended on 03 September 2024,” Memorandum Circular No. 03, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, said.
It added that the suspension of work in private companies and offices is up to the discretion of their respective heads.
It also said that agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue with their operations and render necessary services.
Earlier, President Marcos Jr. directed concerned agencies to make prompt announcements on work or class suspensions due to weather disturbances such as Tropical Storm Enteng to enable the public to fully prepare.
The President, in an interview on the sidelines of the 2024 National Peace Consciousness Month (NPCM) and commemoration of the 28th anniversary of the 1996 Final Peace Agreement (FPA) with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) in Malacañang, said he wants the public to be aware of any suspension of work or classes the following day before they go to sleep.
Marcos said the weather forecast concerning Enteng shows the possibility the tropical storm may strengthen.
“We will try to give the bulletin as early as possible for work and school tomorrow. Ang instruction ko sa kanila, kung maaari bago tayo matulog, alam na natin kung may pasok bukas o hindi para makapag-adjust naman iyung mga tao (We will try to give the bulletin as early as possible for work and school tomorrow. My instructions to them are, if possible before they go to sleep, we already know if there is work and classes tomorrow so the people can adjust),” he said.
He said they want to ensure, especially for the employees, that they are not only able to go to work but also able to return home safely amid the heavy rains and possible flooding.
The President emphasized the importance of issuing early advisories to avoid causing inconvenience to the public during inclement weather conditions.
Marcos said local government units (LGUs) should make their own decisions for their respective areas of responsibility.
Last week, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) announced through its social media account the suspension of work in government and classes in Metro Manila due to the inclement weather past the recommended time of 7:30 am.
The President said the government is closely monitoring the situation and standard operating procedures are already in place and being implemented, including the prepositioning of food packs and relief items in areas within the path of the storm, and the preparations done by LGUs concerned.
Marcos said the government is also prepared to assist LGUs, especially in the recovery and rehabilitation after the onslaught of the weather disturbances.
“We’re prepared for the aftermath of all of these. As usual, nag-forward placement na tayo ng mga pangangailangan. We will just have to wait for the weather to see what it will do…we have all the elements in place to support our people (We’re prepared for the aftermath of all of these. As usual, we’ve made forward placement of the needs of the people. We will just have to wait for the weather to see what it will do…we have all the elements in place to support our people),” he added.
DSWD READY
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) spokeswoman Irene Dumlao said the agency is ready to assist those affected by Enteng even as the agency continues to pack and distribute family food packs (FFPs) and non-food items (NFIs) to ensure immediate replenishment and availability of food and other needs of those affected.
Dumlao, also the agency’s Assistant Secretary for Disaster Response Management Group (DRMG), said the DSWD has 1.74 million boxes of FFPs and P1.21 billion worth of FNIs available in the agency’s National Resource Operations Center (NROC), Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) and field offices.
“As instructed by (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, we are ensuring that there are adequate FFPs and non-food items in the National Resource Operations Center (NROC) and the Visayas Disaster Resource Center (VDRC) which can readily be dispatched to areas hit by Enteng,” she said.
The DSWD has already provided an initial P410,000 worth of aid for these affected families.
Data from the DSWD’s Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC) as of yesterday, showed a total of 6,052 families or 24,043 persons in 76 barangays in Regions V (Bicol), VII (Central Visayas), and VIII (Eastern Visayas) are affected by Enteng.
This includes the 909 families or 3,736 persons who are currently taking temporary shelter in 31 evacuation centers in the three regions.
The agency has also provided hot meals and family food packs to passengers stranded at the Tabaco Port in Tabaco City and those who were forced to take temporary shelter at the TESDA Building in Barangay Caratagan, Pio Duran in Albay since Sunday due to the inclement weather.
Local government units in the eastern part of Metro Manila – San Juan, Mandaluyong, and Marikina – suspended classes and work in government offices yesterday.
Senate President Francis Escudero yesterday ordered the suspension of work in the upper chamber due to the inclement weather.
Senate secretary Renato Bantug, in an advisory, said sessions will resume today, Tuesday.
The Senate sub-committee on justice and human rights also re-scheduled to another date its second hearing on the escape of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo and her siblings.
Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., the committee on public works chairman, tasked the Department of Public Works and Highways to immediately dispatch crews to clear debris and garbage in roadways and drainage inlets that may cause flooding.
He also asked the DPWH to check tarpaulin billboards which may pose hazards due to strong winds.
The Supreme Court also suspended work in courts nationwide due to Enteng.
SAN JUAN SLAMMED
Senate president pro tempore Jinggoy Estrada slammed the San City government for coming up with an ordinance that requires private donors to pass through the office of the mayor when assisting victims of calamities.
In a Facebook post, Estrada said City Ordinance No. 26 Series of 2024 is uncalled for as it will only add burden to individuals like him in giving assistance to victims of calamities and disasters.
Estrada’s office said the ordinance was issued only yesterday which sets the guidelines for both victims of calamities, and donors.
What caught the attention of Estrada were provisions number 5, 6, and 8.
Provision number 5 states that all donations coming from private individuals, non government organizations, and government entities for the victims should pass through the Office of the City Mayor for proper accounting and equal distribution.
Provision number 6 states that visitors and donors who want to enter designated evacuation centers need to secure an “entry permit” from the Office of the City Mayor to ensure order and security in those areas, while provision number 8 states that violators of any provision under the city ordinance will be fined P5,000.
Estrada, in a Facebook post addressed to Mayor Francis Zamora, said bureaucracy will only shoo away donors due to the fine imposed, adding that he will not be stopped from giving assistance to the people of San Juan City even if he is fined repeatedly.
Last month, a video showing Estrada having a heated conversation with a San Juan City staff member went viral after he personally went to a temporary evacuation center for fire victims as city officials apparently tried to stop his staff members from announcing that he would hand out cash assistance to the victims.
He said he is using his position as a senator to help others, especially the people of San Juan City. — With Raymond Africa and Christian Oineza
