Palace suspends work in govt offices in NCR, selected areas in Luzon

UPDATED 8:45 a.m. - Malacañang on Tuesday morning ordered the suspension of work in government offices in Metro Manila and some parts of Luzon due to Typhoon "Pedring" (international name: Nesat). "No government work today except for emergency and NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council) related services," presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a text message to reporters. He said the suspension on government work covers the National Capital Region, Regions 1, 2, 3, Cordillera Administrative Region, Batangas, Cavite, Rizal and Laguna. In an interview over GMA's "Unang Hirit," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the Office of Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa ordered the suspension of government work. The decision was based on the recommendation of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). Classes also suspended The Department of Education, as early as Monday, suspended all classes from elementary to high school in Metro Manila on Tuesday. Classes in the tertiary level in all the areas that Lacierda mentioned were also suspended. According to 5:00 p.m. bulletin of PAGASA on Monday, 14 areas in the country— including Metro Manila — have been placed under Storm Signal No. 2 as 'Pedring' roared towards northern Luzon with wind speeds of up to 160 kph. Under DepEd guidelines, classes in all private and public schools from elementary to high school are automatically suspended when Signal No. 2 is raised over an area. - VVP, GMA News