Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 23) — Malacañang and some local government units have announced class and work suspensions on Monday, July 24, due to inclement weather brought on by Severe Tropical Storm Egay.
The Palace suspended classes in all levels in public schools and government work in the National Capital Region due to the effects of Egay and also in anticipation of the three-day transport strike.
READ: Classes, gov’t work suspended in NCR on July 24 due to storm, transport strike
Bulacan
Work in public and private offices
Catanduanes
Classes in all levels, government work
Pampanga
Classes in all levels, government work
Cavite
Bacoor – Classes in all levels, government work
Rizal
Taytay – Classes in public schools, government work
Locals in Visayas evacuate; Isabela residents prapares for Egay
At least 62 families or 220 individuals living in hazard prone areas in Biliran province are now temporarily staying at the provincial evacuation center in Naval town.
Government offices and classes in Naval and Maripipi town were also suspended.
The Biliran local government also canceled all boat trips from Maripipi town to Kawayan in mainland Biliran after the Philippine Coast Guard Biliran Sub-Station prohibited sea voyage today due to bad weather.
The following areas in Samar province also suspended work and classes today:
* Catbalogan City – work in government offices and classes in private and public school in all level
* Hinabangan – work in government offices and classes in all level
* Motiong and Daram municipal governments also suspended sea travel.
Philippine Coast Guard Sub-stations in other parts of Samar Islands had also suspended sea voyage after the state weather bureau PAGASA hoisted tropical cyclone warning signals due to Typhoon Egay.
The Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas also reminded industry stakeholders to take precautionary measures to ensure the safety of lives of their guest and security of their properties.
Meanwhile, local government units in Isabela province have yet to carry out preventive evacuation in preparation for the possible effects of Typhoon Egay.
Isabela province disaster chief Constante Foronda said they don’t want to advise constituents to evacuate unless absolutely necessary.
He added that local officials are focused on close monitoring and providing updates through their public social media platforms.
“Due to our experience more or less we know when we should evacuate or if we should evacuate people at all. Eh wala nga ulan eh,” Foronda said.
“Maingat kami sa preventive evacuation dahil understandably ‘pag nasa evacuation centers ang mga tao hindi kasing kumportable ng kani-kanilang mga bahay. Mainit, maalinsangan, hindi free gumalaw, ang daming tao, maingay, magulo, napaka-inconvenient sa mga tao,” Foronda added.
[Translation: We are careful with the preventive evacuation since understandably, people in evacuation centers are not as comfortable as in their homes. It is hot, humid, movement is restricted, it’s crowded, noisy, hectic and inconvenient for the people.]
Foronda also said they are more worried about strong winds than heavy rains. High wind force could result in root lodging and can flatten corn fields around the province.
CNN Philippines correspondent AC Nicholls and Tacloban-based journalist Wil Mark Amazona contributed to this story.
