The Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, will continue to bring rain to parts of Luzon and the Visayas on Thursday, September 10, as PAGASA warned of possible flooding and landslides in areas affected by heavy rainfall.
In its 4 a.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Zambales will experience monsoon rains caused by the Habagat.
Occasional rains are also expected over Metro Manila, the rest of Central Luzon, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Occidental Mindoro.
The Visayas, the rest of Luzon, the Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms due to the southwest monsoon.
Meanwhile, partly cloudy to cloudy conditions with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms are forecast over the rest of Mindanao, mainly due to localized thunderstorms.
PAGASA advised residents in affected areas to stay alert for possible flooding and landslides, particularly when heavy rains occur.
MALACAÑANG ORDERS ALTERNATIVE WORK, LEARNING ARRANGEMENTS
Amid the continuing rains, Malacañang on Wednesday night directed government offices and schools in Metro Manila and 13 provinces to implement alternative work and learning arrangements on Thursday.
The directive, issued through Memorandum Circular No. 135, applies to government offices and classes at all levels in both public and private schools in Metro Manila and the provinces of La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Zambales, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Occidental Mindoro, and Oriental Mindoro.
The measure was adopted following a recommendation from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), citing the expected unfavorable weather and the impact of prolonged heavy rains.
Government offices tasked with providing basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, and other essential functions will remain operational to ensure the continued delivery of critical services.
Private companies, meanwhile, will have the discretion to suspend work or implement alternative work arrangements based on their respective management policies.
The memorandum also provides that Contract of Service (COS) and Job Order (JO) personnel placed under alternative work arrangements will continue to receive their corresponding wages or salaries, subject to existing rules and regulations.
The order stated:
“Unless otherwise directed by their respective Local Chief Executives, alternative learning modes for classes at all levels in public and private schools shall be implemented in the aforementioned area.”
Local chief executives may also impose localized suspensions of classes or government work in other areas, provided such actions comply with existing laws, rules, and regulations.