Classes, gov't work suspended in Metro Manila, 14 provinces

MANILA, Philippines — Due to inclement weather, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that classes and government work will be suspended in Metro Manila and 14 provinces on Tuesday, August 26.

In its 4 p.m. weather update on Monday, August 25, PAGASA reported that a low-pressure area spotted 130 kilometers east northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, may trigger flash floods and landslides due to moderate to occasionally heavy rains in Metro Manila and across the country.

Cloudy skies and scattered rains and thunderstorms are forecast to prevail over Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and the rest of Visayas in the next 24 hours. 

The southwest monsoon is also expected to persist over the western parts of Southern Luzon, which include the Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao, Soccsargen, Mimaropa and Antique.

Suspensions apply to all levels of classes, from preschool to college, across public and private schools in the following areas:

• Metro Manila
• Aurora
• Quezon
• Rizal
• Laguna
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Albay
• Sorsogon
• Catanduanes
• Masbate
• Northern Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte 

PAGASA weather specialist John Manalo said the low pressure area could either move northwest through Eastern Visayas and Bicol, crossing Central Luzon to the West Philippine Sea, or pass over southern Luzon before reaching Western Visayas.

The low pressure area is expected to maintain its strength or weaken while crossing land but may intensify into a tropical depression once it reaches the West Philippine Sea.

If it develops into a tropical cyclone, it will be named "Jacinto."