Palace suspends gov’t work, classes in public schools in NCR, nearby provinces until Wednesday

The suspension of work in gov’t offices and classes in public schools covers NCR, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Zambales, and Bataan. pic.twitter.com/QnaODnVBYe

— ????Anna Felicia (@annafelicia_) August 23, 2022

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has suspended government work and classes in all levels in public schools from Tuesday until Wednesday due to the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Florita, the Office of the Press Secretary said.

The suspension of work in government offices and classes in public schools covers Metro Manila, and nearby provinces including Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Zambales, and Bataan.

The suspension on Tuesday begins at 1 p.m., the OPS said.

"The heavy rains pose possible risks to the general public based on the recommendations of the Office of Civil Defense," the OPS said in a statement.

"The same course of action for private schools and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads," it added.

Later at a Palace briefing, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said Marcos wants evacuation centers be identified.

"Kanina ho galing kami sa Cabinet meeting, ito nga ang binilin niya, so ensured na talagang naka-monitor at naka-identify na po ang mga evacuation centers dito and just like the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), we are in constant touch with our local government unit partners na nasa baba po," Abalos said at a Palace briefing.

(We came from a Cabinet meeting and this was among his directives. So it's ensured that our evacuation centers are identified and just like the DSWD, we are in constant touch with our local government unit partners on the ground.)

Supreme Court

Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, meanwhile, also issued a memo announcing the suspension of work at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, due to Florita.

WORK SUSPENSION in the Supreme Court tomorrow, August 24, 2022, due to Severe Tropical Storm Florita
READ: Memorandum Order No. 132-2022 pic.twitter.com/8tlHgHKjnN

— Philippine Supreme Court Public Information Office (@SCPh_PIO) August 23, 2022

Five areas in Northern Luzon have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 due to Florita as of 11 a.m., PAGASA said.

Twelve areas, meanwhile, were placed under Signal No. 2 and eight areas under Signal No. 1.

PAGASA said Florita made its landfall in the vicinity of Maconacon, Isabela at 10:30 a.m. — RSJ/KG, GMA News