TACLOBAN CITY (PIA) – Due to inclement weather condition caused by the Low Pressure Area affecting Eastern Visayas, several local government executives in the region were prompted to extend the suspension of work and classes on Wednesday, January 4.

This was to ensure the welfare and safety of the public amidst the heavy rainfall warning from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Services Administration (PAGASA) which may trigger serious flooding and landslides in mountainous areas.

The local government units that have extended the suspension of work in government offices on Wednesday, January 4, were the municipalities of Palo, Tanauan, Carigara, San Miguel, Jaro, Tolosa, all in Leyte; San Isidro, and Capul, both in Northern Samar, Naval and Cabucgayan, Biliran. However, the suspension of work in private entities is left to the discretion of the management.

In Samar province, Basey Mayor Luz Ponferrada also extended the suspension of work in government offices and classes in all levels in her municipality.

Other municipalities that declared suspension of classes in all levels were Alang-Alang, Tabon-Tabon and Leyte, all in Leyte; Sogod, Bontoc and Maasin, all in Southern Leyte.

Paranas Mayor Eunice Babalcon has also declared suspension of classes in all levels within the municipality on Wednesday.

Prior to this, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez was the first local chief executive in the region who ordered suspension of work and classes in all levels in the city in the morning of January 3 following a recommendation of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (CDRRMO).

It was followed by the towns of Palo, Tanauan, Tolosa, Calbiga, Basey, Catbalogan City, among others.

In addition, Mayor Manolo Rubi of Kawayan, Biliran also ordered suspension of work and classes in his municipality on Wednesday after experiencing heavy rains due to the effects of the LPA.

With the red rainfall warning issued by PAGASA at noontime on Wednesday, Mayor Romualdez issued Memorandum Order No. 2023-01-01 suspending suspending work of the city govenment employees effective 12:01 p.m. on January 4.

Said memo covers only employees of the city government of Tacloban emphasizing that their work will not automatically cancel scheduled duties especially those who are assigned in the maintenance of peace and order, cleanliness, health, traffic management, collection of fees, business permits renewal, processing and emergency responders.

Due to the unfavorable weather disturbance, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) in the region has maintained its blue alert status while the virtual Emergency Operations Center (EOC) remains activated and all local DRRM councils and member agencies are being alerted and required to submit reports, updates and concerns to the regional EOC.

As of January 4, 2022, the RDRRMC report disclosed that a total of 42 cities and municipalities in the region have suspended classes and 24 local chief executives ordered suspension of work.  (MMP/CBA/PIA-8)