Work, classes suspended until July 23 due to weather; 6 dead, over 900K affected

Malacañang announced the suspension of work in government offices and classes at all levels starting from Monday, July 21 through Wednesday, July 23 due to heavy rains caused by the southwest monsoon (habagat) and Severe Tropical Storm Wipha (Crising).

Classes were suspended in private and public schools across Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zambales, Pangasinan, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, Benguet, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan, Cagayan, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Antique, and Iloilo for Thursday, July 24.

Agencies responsible for essential services such as health care and disaster response were exempted from the suspension while private companies and offices are advised to make their own decisions regarding work suspensions.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin confirmed on Tuesday that Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular (MC) 90, extending the suspension of government and classes in the same areas through July 23 due to continued heavy rainfall caused by the southwest monsoon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported six deaths as of Tuesday afternoon with over 900,000 individuals affected by Tropical Cyclone Crising, Habagat, and a low-pressure area (LPA), and more than 20,000 staying in evacuation centers across various regions.

As of Wednesday morning, Tropical Depression Emong has been tracked northwest of Northern Luzon with winds up to 45 kph, while Tropical Storm Dante is located further north with stronger 65 kph winds.