To LGUs to suspend classes, government not working on November 18

As Super Typhoon Pepito continues to hit several parts of the country on Sunday, November 17, Malacañang leaves the suspension of classes and government work for Monday, November 18, 2024 to local government units (LGUs).

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the decision was made after consultation with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and relevant government agencies.

However, it urged local principals to consider the situation in their respective localities when deciding whether to suspend classes on Monday and work in government offices.

Super Typhoon Pepito made landfall in Panganiban, Catanduanes on Saturday evening and in Dipacula, Aurora on Sunday afternoon.

The provinces of Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino will remain under Signal No. 5 starting Sunday at 5 p.m., while Metro Manila will be on Signal No. 1.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) issued preventive warnings on lahar flows in the affected provinces on Sunday.

The DOST-Phivolcs recognized the recent activities of Mayon, Pinatubo and Taal volcanoes and the trajectory of ‘Pepito’ and strongly recommended increased preparedness and vigilance of communities in predetermined zones of lahar and related hazards.

Phivolcs said the pyroclastic density current (PDC) deposits from Mayon Volcano may occupy the watersheds, while potential lahar and sediment-rich streamflows may occur along the Miisi, Buyuan, Binaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Mininila, Masawarag, Muladbucad, Nasisi, Mabinit, Matanag, Basud and Bulawan canals in Albay province.

For Pinatubo, the agency said significant PDC deposits from the 1991 eruption remain in the basin and may be confined to river channels. But it can become muddy streams in Sto. Tomas-Marella and the Bucao river systems and even flooding in the lower and adjacent communities of San Marcelino, San Narciso, San Felipe and Botolan in Zambales province.

Muddy stream flows may also be generated along the O’Donnel and Pasig-Portero river systems, draining the Pinatubo building to the north and southeast, which could affect downstream communities in Tarlac and Pampanga provinces.

Phivolcs also warned of muddy flow, muddy runoff and volcanic debris around Taal Volcano to Agoncillo, Laurel and Talisay in Batangas province.