Palace suspends NCR classes, government work on July 24

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang suspended work in government offices and classes in public schools in all levels in Metro Manila for tomorrow because of possible bad weather and a three-day transport strike that organizers claimed would paralyze transportation in the capital region.

“In view of the forecasted inclement weather brought about by Typhoon Egay and the scheduled 72-hour transport strike in Metro Manila, work in government offices and classes in public schools at all levels in the National Capital Region are hereby suspended on 24 July 2023,” Memorandum Circular No. 25 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin last Friday read.

Bersamin said the circular does not cover agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness and response to disasters and calamities and the performance of other vital services.

Private companies and schools were given the discretion on whether to suspend work or classes for that day.

President Marcos is set to deliver his second State of the Nation Address tomorrow.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Egay has strengthened into a tropical storm and may become a severe tropical storm.

Metro Manila may experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms because of the southwest monsoon and localized thunderstorms.

Transport group Manibela, meanwhile, has claimed that 200,000 public utility vehicles would join the three-day strike that would start tomorrow.

The group will protest the government’s supposed failure to act on the issues it raised on the public utility vehicle modernization program.

Officials have given assurances that measures are in place to mitigate the impact of the transport strike.