Malacañang: Work resumes in private sector, most govt offices

Published August 8, 2012 3:27am

Work in the private sector and in most government offices resume Wednesday after the Office of the President opted to not issue another directive suspending workplace operations, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said shortly after 3 a.m. of August 8.

Malacañang also decided to let classes resume in areas and at curriculum levels where it suspended classes on Tuesday.

But Lacierda said the declarations of some national agencies, such as the Commission on Audit, suspending work Wednesday will stand.

He also said announcements made by local governments concerning the suspension of work and classes in their jurisdictions will also remain in force.

Also, he urged the public "to remain vigilant, and aware of alerts and advisories from the authorities, concerning the weather."

Lacierda said "occasional intense rainfall" had been observed from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 1 a.m. Wednesday, but it is projected to lessen within the day.

"Even as the situation remains of concern for so many citizens affected by the rain and flooding, it is imperative that we begin returning to normalcy as soon as possible," he said.

He said this means government workers should report to their offices "to continue, and accelerate, efforts at rescue, relief, and rehabilitation."

On the other hand, he said the private sector needs to return to work as well.

"Goods and service must resume so as to speed up the repair of damaged infrastructure, the circulation of goods and supplies throughout the metropolitan area and other affected regions," he said.

Lacierda also urged Filipinos to keep in mind thousands of fellow Filipinos who need their assistance and support.

He called on Filipinos to show the "empathy, sympathy, cooperation and can-do attitude that have served us so well during this emergency." Meanwhile, The House of Representatives on Wednesday declared a resumption of work in its offices, a day after it suspended session and office work due to floods brought by heavy rain in past days on Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

But the House, in an announcement posted on its website early Wednesday, said the plenary session was still suspended to let House members coordinate relief work for their constituents.

"Per declaration of the Hon. Speaker Feliciano R. Belmonte Jr., plenary session on Wednesday, August 8, 2012, is suspended to enable House Members to undertake coordinated relief work. However, Secretariat work (is) NOT suspended until notice to that effect is issued," it said.

Here is the full text of the Lacierda statement onthe resumption of work:

Statement of Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda:

On the resumption of work today

[August 8, 2012]

On the basis of the best available information at the present time, and the recommendation and the forecast of PAGASA, the Office of the President will not issue a Memorandum Circular suspending work for government or the private sector today, August 8. The public is therefore advised that work in national government offices and the public sector resume today. The declarations of some national agencies, such as the Commission on Audit, suspending work today, and announcements made by local governments concerning the suspension of work and classes in their jurisdictions, however, remain in force.

Occasional intense rainfall has been observed from 8 p.m. last night to 1 a.m. today, but it is projected to lessen within the day. Even as the situation remains of concern for so many citizens affected by the rain and flooding, it is imperative that we begin returning to normalcy as soon as possible. This requires government workers to report to their offices to continue, and accelerate, efforts at rescue, relief, and rehabilitation. The private sector, too, needs to return to work. Goods and service must resume so as to speed up the repair of damaged infrastructure, the circulation of goods and supplies throughout the metropolitan area and other affected regions.

As we emerge from this emergency, let us bear in mind the many thousands of our countrymen who will continue to need our assistance and support. We call on our fellow citizens to continue to demonstrate the empathy, sympathy, cooperation and can-do attitude that have served us so well during this emergency. Continue to remain vigilant, and aware of alerts and advisories from the authorities, concerning the weather. — Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, Malacañang

Tags: workresumes, palacestatement, edwinlacierda