Malacañang on Tuesday issued a directive suspending classes and government work in Metro Manila and 36 provinces across Luzon and the Visayas—regions home to around 70 million Filipinos, or more than half of the country’s population.
The suspension will take effect on Wednesday, July 23, in response to ongoing weather concerns.
In Memorandum Circular No. 90, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on behalf of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the suspension was based on recommendations from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The NDRRMC anticipates “continuous heavy rainfall” brought on by the Southwest Monsoon.
“Agencies responsible for essential services, including health, preparedness, and disaster response, must remain operational to ensure continuity of government functions despite the suspension,” the memorandum states.
The order also grants local government units (LGUs) the authority to implement localized suspensions of classes or government work in other affected areas.
The other provinces covered by the memorandum circular are Abra, Albay, Aklan, Antique, Batangas, Bataan, Benguet, Bulacan, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Catanduanes, Cavite, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, La Union, Laguna, Marinduque, Masbate, Mountain Province, Negros Occidental, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, Romblon, Sorsogon, Tarlac, and Zambales.
Additionally, the memorandum clarified that the decision to suspend work in private companies and offices will be left to the discretion of their respective management teams.
Malacanang already suspended government work and classes on Monday afternoon and the whole day of Tuesday due to extensive flooding and warnings from the weather bureau of more heavy downpour.
