(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Wednesday ordered government offices to shift to alternative work arrangements and alternative learning modes for classes at all levels in both public and private schools in Metro Manila and 17 provinces as heavy rainfall caused by the southwest monsoon, or “habagat” is expected to persist on Thursday although Tropical Storm "Neneng" was forecast to have slightly weakened.
Memorandum Circular 131 covers the National Capital Region, Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, llocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Occidental Mindoro.
The memorandum also mentioned that local chief executives in regions not mentioned have the authority to implement suspensions based on the prevailing conditions in their respective areas.
On the other hand, private companies have the flexibility to suspend work or adopt alternative work arrangements.
New tropical storm
Meanwhile, a tropical depression outside Philippine Area of Responsibility developed into a tropical storm with the interntaional name "Saudel," the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.
It was 3,005 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao as of 2 p.m., based on an outlook issued at 4 p.m. by Pagasa.
"So the trajectory we see and our projection is that by early next week, Monday or Tuesday, it will possibly enter our area of responsibility although from what we see now..., it will just, so to speak," skirt the edge of the PAR, weather specialist Loriedin de la Cruz-Galicia said in Filipino and English at the 5:30 p.m. update.
Pagasa said the new storm would further enhance the southwest monsoon, along with "Neneng."
'Neneng' slightly weakens — Pagasa
"Neneng" slightly weakened while moving west-northwestward and was estimated to be 375 kilometers (km) northeast of Itbayat, Batanes as of 4 p.m., Pagasa said in its 5 p.m. bulletin.
It was moving northwestward at 35 km per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 45kph near the center and gustiness reaching 55kph, Pagasa said.
"Neneng is forecast to move generally northwestward and may pass close or make landfall over the northern coast of Taiwan by tomorrow (Aug. 20) evening or Friday (Aug. 21) early morning. The center of Neneng will remain over the Philippine Sea throughout the forecast period," it said.
Pagasa, however, stressed that "heavy rainfall and severe winds may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone."
"Neneng will remain a tropical depression in the next 24 hours before weakening into a remnant low over or near Taiwan on Friday morning. However, earlier weakening into a remnant low is not ruled out," it said.
"Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property," Pagasa said.
"Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials," it said.
Pagasa also said that the southwest monsoon "will bring strong to gale-force gusts over" these areas "especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds" – for Wednesday until Thursday, most of Luzon and Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Davao Region; and for Friday, most of Luzon, Panay Island, Negros Occidental, Northern Samar, and Davao Oriental.
Pagasa forecasted up to rough seas over these coastal waters and advised mariners "of motorbancas and similarly sized vessels" to "take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions:"
- Up to 3.5 meters for the seaboards of Ilocos Norte and Batanes
- Up to 3 meters for the seaboards of Ilocos Sur, La Union, Zambales, and Lubang Islands; "the western seaboards of Babuyan Islands, Pangasinan, Bataan, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, and Calamian Island;" and the northern seaboard of Kalayaan Islands
Pagasa gave the same advice as it forecast up to moderate seas over these coastal waters:
- Up to 2.5 meters for the seaboard of Isabela; "the western seaboards of Cavite and northern mainland Palawan; the eastern seaboard of Davao Oriental; the remaining seaboards of Occidental Mindoro and Kalayaan Islands."
- Up to 2 meters for the "seaboards of mainland Cagayan, northern Aurora, Romblon, Cuyo Islands, Cagayancillo Islands, Antique, and Surigao del Sur; the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes; the eastern seaboards of Dinagat Islands and Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands; the southern seaboards of Oriental Mindoro and Iloilo; the western seaboards of Palawan;" and Babuyan Island's remaining seaboards
Pagasa forecast wave heights reaching below 2 meters for other coastal waters.
"The next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued later on Wednesday.
