PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. convened a high-level situation briefing with key Cabinet officials at Malacañang Palace on Monday morning to evaluate the widespread damage caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon, locally known as Habagat, and to accelerate relief operations across hard-hit regions.
The emergency meeting focused on flood-stricken areas across Luzon and Metro Manila, where persistent torrential rains have disrupted daily activity and inundated residential communities.
Joining the President were Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla, and Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon.
Following recommendations from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular No. 123.
Signed by Executive Secretary Recto by authority of the President, the order implements mandatory work-from-home arrangements for government offices and shifts schools to alternative learning modes across the National Capital Region and 15 affected provinces.
The coverage of MC No. 123 spans key provinces including Ilocos Sur, La Union, Zambales, Bataan, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Benguet, Pangasinan, Abra, Tarlac, Pampanga, Oriental Mindoro, and Bulacan.
Under the directive, public and private schools at all levels in these jurisdictions must transition to online or modular distance learning, unless local chief executives order full class suspensions.
Meanwhile, private sector employers have been granted full discretion regarding whether to suspend operations or adopt flexible remote work policies for their employees.
To maintain public safety and continuity of essential operations, frontline agencies are explicitly exempted from remote work directives.
Agencies tasked with health and basic services, disaster response, preparedness, and crucial public utilities will remain fully operational on the ground.
Local government units outside the primary coverage zone retain authority to implement localized work suspensions and class cancellations as weather conditions dictate in their respective jurisdictions.
