Malacañang announces resumption of work today in
government offices and private sector
Malacanang announced the resumption of work
today (August 8, 2012) in the national government offices and the private
sector, a palace official said on Wednesday.
"On the basis of the best available
information at the present time, and the recommendation and the forecast of
PAGASA (Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration), the Office of the President will not issue a Memorandum
Circular suspending work for government or the private sector today, August
8," Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.
Lacierda said 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," Lacierda said.
"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
services 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 called on fellow citizens to remain
vigilant and aware of alerts and advisories from the authorities concerning the
weather.
As the nation emerges from this emergency,
Lacierda appealed to the people to bear in mind that thousands of our
countrymen need 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," he said. (js)
Aquino leads distribution of family food packs
to flood victims in Muntinlupa
A day after the torrential rains spawned by the
Southwest monsoon flooded large parts of Metro Manila, President Benigno S.
Aquino III sought to bring cheer and hope to the flooding victims by leading
the distribution of family food packs in Tunasan, Muntinlupa City on Wednesday.
The President handed out the food packs
consisting of noodles, cans of sardines and corned beef, rice and coffee to 784
families (3,920 individuals) from the various barangays around Laguna Lake who
were displaced because of the floods.
A short briefing on the ongoing rescue and
relief operations were given by Social Welfare and development Assistant
Secretary Milo Gudmalin.
In his short remarks, the President assured the
people that the government, through the local government units, were exerting
its fullest efforts to provide the basic services they need in these time of
calamity.
He also expressed happiness that despite their
situation, the people of Tunasan were all smiles and bursting with optimism.
Joining the President were Transportation and
Communication Secretary Mar Roxas II, Public Works and Highways Secretary
Rogelio Singson and Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras. (rck)
