Malacañang suspends classes, allows hybrid work due to Typhoon Emong

Malacañang suspended classes and allowed hybrid work arrangements for non-essential government personnel in Metro Manila and several provinces due to heavy rains forecasted on Friday, July 25.

Typhoon Emong made landfall twice as a typhoon—first in Agno, Pangasinan, at 10:40 pm on Thursday, July 24, then in Candon City, Ilocos Sur, at 5:10 am on Friday before weakening into a severe tropical storm.

Several local government units have suspended classes on Saturday, July 26, due to continuous rains and the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and Tropical Storm Emong. Affected areas include all levels in Laguna, Marikina City (public and private), Caloocan City (public except University of Caloocan City), and Malasiqui, Pangasinan.

Areas placed under red rainfall warning for more than 200 millimeters of expected rain include Ilocos Sur, La Union, Benguet, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro. Tropical cyclone wind signals remain hoisted over parts of northern Luzon as Emong nears Batanes.

Government frontliners are expected to report for work despite the suspension order; some agencies have implemented hybrid work arrangements for non-essential personnel. DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla warned residents to avoid playing near rivers or streams due to safety concerns and emphasized the seriousness of weather conditions.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that monsoon rains driven by a string of tropical cyclones have left at least 25 people dead since last week, with nine deaths in Metro Manila. Rains from the habagat and tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong injured eight people and left eight others missing.