Classes at all levels and work in government offices in Metro Manila and other provinces remained suspended on Wednesday, July 23, due to the heavy rainfall caused by the habagat or southwest monsoon.
Students from Pinaglabanan Elementary School in San Juan City use their umbrellas to shield themselves from heavy rain brought by southwest monsoon, or habagat, on July 21, 2025. (Santi San Juan/MB)
Malacañang announced the cancellation of classes through Memorandum Circular No. 90 on Tuesday, July 22.
Aside from Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces, several provinces in Luzon and Visayas were also included in the suspension.
The suspension covers all cities in Metro Manila, 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, and Negros Occidental.
Agencies responsible for health services and response efforts must remain operational despite the suspension of government work.
"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 said.
Localized cancellation of classes and work in government offices in other regions may be implemented by their respective local chief executives, it added.
The suspension of work for private companies, however, is left to the discretion of their respective heads.
The memorandum was signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
As of Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is monitoring three low-pressure areas (LPAs), including one that has a high chance of developing into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours.