Classes, gov't work suspended in NCR, Luzon provinces on July 23 —Palace

Work in government offices and classes at all levels in the National Capital Region and some provinces are suspended on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, due to inclement weather, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said on Tuesday.

Through Memorandum Circular No. 90, Bersamin said the following provinces also have no classes and government work, upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) due to the continuous heavy rainfall brought by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat:

• Pangasinan
• Zambales
• Tarlac
• Bataan
• Pampanga
• Bulacan
• Cavite
• Batangas
• Rizal
• Occidental Mindoro
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Quezon
• Oriental Mindoro
• Marinduque
• Romblon
• Masbate
• Sorsogon
• Albay
• Camarines Sur
• Catanduanes
• Palawan
• Antique
• Aklan
• Capiz
• Iloilo
• Guimaras
• Abra
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Nueva Ecija
• Laguna
• Negros Occidental

However, agencies responsible for basic, vital and health services, preparedness and response duties must continue their operations to ensure continuity of essential government functions despite the declaration of work suspension. 

Meanwhile, non-vital government employees of subject agencies and all other government employees may be engaged under approved alternate work arrangements, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations.

The memorandum also indicated that the localized cancellation or suspension of classes and/or work in government offices in other regions may be implemented by their respective local chief executives, pursuant to relevant laws, rules and regulations.

The suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion
of their respective heads.

Dante

On Tuesday, the low pressure area located east of Aurora has developed into Tropical Depression Dante on Tuesday afternoon, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

“At 2 p.m. today, the low pressure area east of Aurora developed into Tropical Depression #DantePH,” PAGASA said in an update.

Tropical cyclone bulletins will be issued starting 5 p.m. on Tuesday, according to PAGASA.

Dante is the fourth tropical cyclone to enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility this year.
 

Impact

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday said that six people were reported dead due to Tropical Cyclone Crising, Habagat, and the low pressure area (LPA).

The NDRRMC said three of the reported deaths were in Northern Mindanao and one each in Mimaropa, Davao Region, and Caraga.

Only two of the six reported fatalities have been confirmed so far, according to the NDRRMC.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), meanwhile, said that  More than 490,000 families have been affected by the bad weather brought Habagat.

''Mayroon na tayong 490,418 na affected families kung saan ang 14,191 families ang ngayon nakatira sa mga iba’t ibang evacuation centers natin. Mayroon tayong tumatakbo na around 500 na evacuation centers na nakabukas nationwide,'' said DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian in a palace briefing. 

(We already have 490,418 affected families wherein 14,191 families are residing in various evacuation centers. Around 500 evacuation centers were also operational nationwide.) 

Gatchalian also said that around 500 evacuation centers are operating and catering to the needs of affected Filipinos amid the continuous rains which resulted in floods in several parts of the country, including Metro Manila. 

Some 167,000 customers of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) have also been hit by power outages due to the Habagat, most of whom are located in flooded areas, as the distribution utility works to restore services.

In an advisory, Meralco said most of the affected customers were in Metro Manila, Bulacan, and Cavite, with the rest in Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon as of 7 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22. Nearly 98% or over 163,000 are located in flooded areas.

Flooding

More than 500 flood incidents were reported in Metro Manila in the last 24 hours amid the heavy downpour, according to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).

MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said as of 11 a.m., the number of flood incidents dipped from 500 to 273, with floodwater levels varying on the affected areas.

“Sa buong Kamaynilaan within 24 hours ay mahigit 500 po ang naging pagbaha, incidents ng pagbaha sa iba’t ibang areas,” Artes told a palace briefing.

(Throughout Metro Manila within 24 hours, there were more than 500 flooding incidents in various areas.)

The MMDA recently issued an advisory on the affected roads.

“Tayo po ay nag-prepare at walang tigil sa pagtatrabaho para ma-ensure po na handa ang ahensiya na tumugon sa hamon na dala po nitong hangin at ulan,” said Artes.

(We are preparing to ensure the MMDA is ready to face challenges brought about by the rains and wind.)

“Mayroon po tayong 500 personnel, six buses, two military trucks, two rubber boats at four aluminum boats at mahigit 500 personnel po na rescue personnel na nakaantabay at ready for deployment,” he said.

(We have 500 personnel, 6 buses, 2 military trucks, 2 rubber boats, 4 aluminum boats and over 500 rescue personnel that are ready for deployment.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News