Malacañang has ordered the suspension of work in government offices and classes at all levels in several provinces and regions nationwide for Friday, Sept. 26, as Severe Tropical Storm Opong is forecast to bring heavy rains and strong winds.
Work in government offices and classes at all levels in Metro Manila, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Masbate, Romblon and Sorsogon are suspended.
Classes at all levels are also suspended in Aklan, Albay, Antique, Batangas, Bataan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Cavite, Catanduanes, Guimaras, Iloilo, Laguna, Leyte, Marinduque, Negros Occidental, Oriental Mindoro, Rizal, and Quezon.
The move follows the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to ensure public safety amid forecasts of widespread rainfall brought by Opong.
Opong is forecast to make landfall over Northern Samar or the northern portion of Eastern Samar today (Friday) early morning before heading toward the Bicol Region, where it is likely to make another landfall in the vicinity of Sorsogon in the morning.
Throughout today, Opong will move generally west-northwestward near or over Sibuyan Sea and traverse the mainland and/or island provinces of Bicol Region, southern Calabarzon, and northern Mimaropa, before emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Saturday early morning.
Opong may reach typhoon category before making landfall. It will then weaken as it crosses the archipelago, although it will likely remain as a typhoon or severe tropical storm during its passage. Re-intensification is highly likely once Opong emerges over the West Philippine Sea.
There is high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding 3.0 m within 36 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Cebu, Aklan, Antique, and Capiz.
