Gov’t work resumes in Southern Tagalog, NCR, Central Luzon on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020 —Palace

Government work in Central Luzon and Metro Manila will resume on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, Malacañang announced on Monday night.

In a statement amid the continued activity of Taal Volcano, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said the suspension of classes in all levels and work in government in Batangas shall remain in force.

"This suspension shall not apply to frontline  response agencies involved in disaster response, delivery of basic and health service, and/or other vital services," Medialdea said.

"The private sector is highly encouraged to suspend work for the safety of their employees," he added.

The resumption of government work in the three regions was based on the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

"Work in government in the NCR, Region 3 and the rest of Calabarzon shall resume tomorrow (14 January 2020)," Medialdea said.

As regards classes in the rest of Southern Tagalog, Metro Manila and Central Luzon, their resumption or suspension "shall be left to the discretion of the local executives who are in the best position to assess the situation in their areas of responsibility."

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night said he wanted one more day of suspended classes and government work.

Her said he was “invoking public health” to suspend classes and government work for Tuesday due to the ash fall from the phreatic eruption of the Taal Volcano.

“It’s public heath. We are invoking public health to suspend classes and government [work] and hopefully, the private sector will follow,” Duterte said in an interview at the headquarters of the Philippine Marines.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, however, issued a statement to say that Duterte already said Medialdea's bulletin would be followed.

Lorenzana is the chair of the NDRRMC.

"Earlier today at the [Philippine Marines headquarters] press interview, the President said that the suspension will continue for one more day," Lorenzana said.

"Shortly after I explained to the President that the NDRRMC has recommended the lifting of suspension of classes and offices in the Calabarzon area, Metro Manila and Region 3 except Batangas province where classes and government offices are still suspended until further notice," he added.

"I informed him that the Executive Sec has already issued a bulletin to this effect, I.e,  Lifting the suspension except Batangas.  The President said the Executive Secretary’s announcement will be followed," Lorenzana said. —Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News