Govt work in 3 regions suspended due to 'Juan'

Malacanang has suspended work in government offices in Regions I, II and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) for Tuesday because of the onslaught of super typhoon “Juan" (international name Megi). Memorandum Circular No. 4, issued Monday, suspended government work in the said regions upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). However, agencies whose functions involve “the delivery of basic health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital public services shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services," the Palace circular read. Super typhoon “Juan" made landfall in Sierra Madre shortly before noon Monday. According to an Associated Press report, Juan is carrying "ferocious winds and heavy rainfall" and is the most powerful typhoon to threaten the country in four years. In 2006, typhoon Reming's 250 kph winds set off mudslides that buried entire villages and killed about 1,000 people, mostly in the Bicol region. As of 5 p.m, Storm Signal No. 3 (100-185 kph winds) has been declared in the following areas: • Cagayan • Isabela • Apayao • Kalinga • Ifugao • Quirino • Nueva Viscaya • Benguet • Mt. Province • Abra • Ilocos Norte • Ilocos Sur • La Union Signal No. 2 (60-100 kph winds) has been declared in the following areas: • Batanes • Babuyan • Calayan Group • Pangasinan • Nueva Ecija • Aurora • Tarlac Signal No. 1 (30-60 kph winds) has been declared in the following areas: • Zambales • Pampanga • Bataan • Bulacan • Rizal • Cavite • Laguna • Northern Quezon • Polilio Island • Batangas • Metro Manila - Jam Sisante/KBK, GMANews.TV