Marcos suspends classes, gov't work in NCR on July 24 due to Egay, transport strike

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the suspension of classes and work in government offices on Monday, July 24, due to the expected inclement weather caused by Tropical Storm Egay and the transport strike, Malacañang announced on Saturday. 

"In view of the forecasted inclement weather brought about by [Tropical Storm] Egay and the scheduled seventy-two (72)-hour transport strike in Metro Manila, work in government offices and classes in public schools at all levels in the National Capital Region are hereby suspended on 24 July 2023," according to Memorandum Circular No. 25 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Friday.

However, government agencies that are involved in 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 the necessary services, it said. 

“The suspension of work for private companies and classes in private schools is left to the discretion of their respective heads,” the memorandum read.

According to an announcement from the Supreme Court, work has also been suspended in Metro Manila courts on July 24 due to Egay and possible transportation problems in connection with the transport strike and Marcos' State of the Nation Address.

At the Court of Tax Appeals, a skeleton staff will be maintained in the Office of the Clerk of Court, Judicial Records Division, Cash Division, Security Services Unit, and General Services Division to attend to essential or frontline services.

In a bulletin issued at 11 a.m. Saturday, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Egay may enhance the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) during the weekend and next week. 

Transport group Manibela, meanwhile, announced that they would be holding a transport strike on July 24 to 26 to protest the December 31 deadline for the consolidation phase of the PUV modernization program. 

On Tuesday, the Inter-Agency Task Force Monitoring Team met to craft contingency plans that would aid commuters during the transport strike set to begin during Marcos' second SONA on July 24.

Among the plans discussed were the dispatch of rescue vehicles to ferry passengers that might be affected, and the monitoring of weather conditions on the day of the President’s SONA. — Ted Cordero/VBL, GMA Integrated News