TACLOBAN CITY – Local government units in Eastern Visayas have declared work suspension on Tuesday as incessant rains continue to pour in the past four days.
Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez extended the work suspension that took effect Monday afternoon as floodwaters continue to inundate some low-lying communities.
“Suspension of classes in all levels and work in government offices in Tacloban City due to moderate to heavy rainfall is extended until today, January 12. Everyone is advised to remain alert for possible flash floods and landslides,” the city government said in an announcement posted on its official social media page.
In the nearby town of Palo, Leyte, Mayor Frances Ann Petilla also suspended Tuesday work in all government offices due to heavy rains and flooding. The work suspension does not cover personnel involved in the maintenance of peace and order, disaster risk management, health and sanitation, and traffic management.
“All local responders are advised to follow all disaster protocols as well as execute the necessary course of action as may be given by the municipal disaster risk reduction and management council,” Petilla said in an executive order.
Several field offices of national government agencies are situated in Tacloban City and Palo town.
Concerned with the effect of heavy downpour, Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina asked provincial government employees to stay home since Monday.
“It is best for the safety of our employees to suspend further today work in the provincial government offices except for first responders in emergency situations. Local government units are advised to follow depending on their assessment in their respective areas,” Espina said in a statement on Tuesday.
Also in Biliran province, Caibiran Mayor Rhodessa Revita and Naval Mayor Gerard Espina extended the work suspension ordered on Monday as inclement weather continues to dump heavy rains.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education-Eastern Samar Division has ordered all its teaching personnel in the towns of Taft, Oras, Guiuan, Dolores, Jipapad, and Maslog to suspend distribution and retrieval of learning modules.
Flooding and minor landslides have been reported in these areas due to non-stop rains that started over the weekend.
According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the town centers of Maslog and Jipapad have been flooded since Sunday, while the national road from Arteche to Jipapad remains not passable to all types of vehicles, also due to flooding.
A portion of the national road along Binaloan village in Taft town was also closed to all types of vehicles due to rockfall and landslides, the DPWH said.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, the region has been experiencing heavy rains since Saturday due to a low pressure area and the tail-end of a frontal system.
In its advisory Tuesday, the state weather bureau reported the rains are induced by LPA estimated at 170 kilometers southeast of General Santos City, the tail-end of the frontal system affecting the Visayas, and northeast monsoon affecting Luzon. (PNA)
