NON-STOP RAINS TORMENT METRO MANILA
[PHOTO - CLASSES SUSPENDED: Students climb onto the iron railing gate of the Philippine Normal University in Manila to avoid wading in flood waters. Government authorities suspended classes on the college level around noontime of August 2, 2011, after continuous rains flooded many parts of Metro Manila. Classes in the kinder, elementary, and high school were suspended earlier in the morning. (Linus Guardian Escandor II)
MANILA, AUGUST 4, 2011 (BULLETIN) By GENALYN D. KABILING - Malacañang ordered the suspension of classes in the tertiary level as well as government work in the National Capital Region (NCR) effective 1 pm Tuesday afternoon due to bad weather.
In Memorandum Circular No. 17, Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. sent home college students and government workers in Metro Manila based on the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Exempted from the suspension of government offices are those agencies engaged in the delivery of basic and health services as well as preparedness/response to disasters and calamities.
Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda relayed the information from Ochoa via his Twitter account at past noon Tuesday.
President Aquino was visiting Bohol to inspect some infrastructure projects and meet local government officials when heavy moonsoon rains battered Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Aquino returned to Manila later in the afternoon.
Education authorities earlier suspended classes in elementary and high school levels in Metro Manila and nearby provinces even though there was no storm signal hoisted in any part of the country.
Secretary Ramon Carandang of the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office assured that concerned government agencies have been alerted to help people affected by the heavy rains.
Carandang also explained the Palace took the initiative to announce the suspension of college classes and government offices because it was sensitive to their welfare due to inclement weather.
Carandang, in a news conference in the Palace, said the government can no longer rely on storm signals on whether classes or work should be halted. He added that they must evaluate the situation on a case by case basis.
In Marikina City, officials called for a voluntary evacuation of residents in low-lying areas proximate to the Marikina River as the water level rose to 16 meters at noontime.
Rescue crews were also on standby in areas like Provident Village which is particularly vulnerable to flash floods once the river swells.
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Chief News Editor: Sol Jose Vanzi
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