The Senate on Wednesday, July 21, declared an early dismissal of work due to the heavy rains and flooding brought about by the southwest monsoon, or "habagat", enhanced by typhoon "Fabian".
According to an advisory issued by Senate Secretary Myra Villarica, Senate President Vicente Sotto III has allowed officers and employees to go home at 1 p.m. "due to the inclement weather and flooding in many areas in Metro Manila."
Personnel of the Senate's Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and maintenance bureau are excluded from the early work dismissal.
Meetings, committee hearings and other meetings may proceed subject to the discretion of the committee chairperson, senator or office concerned.
Several areas in Metro Manila were reported flooded on Wednesday, as the region was placed under orange rainfall warning.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) had said that the habagat, enhanced by typhoon "Fabian", will bring light to moderate, at at times, heavy rains over the capital and other areas of the country.