Public and private schools in the National Capital Region (NCR) and 12 provinces will shift to alternative learning modes, while government offices will adopt alternative work arrangements starting noon on Monday, Aug. 17, as continuous heavy rains from the Southwest Monsoon threaten to cause flooding and other weather-related hazards.

The directive was issued through Memorandum Circular No. 127 upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and in view of heavy rainfall warnings issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The alternative learning arrangements will apply to classes at all levels in public and private schools in Metro Manila and the provinces of Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, and Occidental Mindoro, unless otherwise directed by their respective local chief executives.

Government agencies responsible for basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response, and other vital public services, however, are required to continue operating and providing necessary services.

The circular also allows local chief executives in other areas to suspend or cancel classes and government work pursuant to relevant laws, rules, and regulations, while the suspension of work or adoption of alternative arrangements in the private sector is left to management.

The memorandum, signed in Manila on Aug. 17 by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto by authority of the President, took effect immediately.

Prior to Malacañang’s official announcement, a “fake” memorandum on the suspension of in-person government work and classes circulated on social media. Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government was already studying the source of a fake memorandum and would determine whether further action would be taken.

“Lahat ng mga nagbibigay ng mga ganitong klaseng impormasyon na maaaring makaapekto sa ating mga kababayan ay hindi po palalagpasin (Those who provide this kind of information that could affect our fellow Filipinos will not be allowed to get away with it),” she said.

“So, aalamin po natin kung saan ito nanggagaling at medyo ang bansa po natin talaga ay bugbog na bugbog na sa fake news (So, we will find out where this is coming from, and our country has really been battered by fake news),” she added.

Castro said the government would need the help of mainstream media in preventing the further spread of false information, particularly during emergencies when inaccurate announcements could cause confusion among the public.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) suspended face-to-face consular operations at the DFA Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) Aseana, DoubleDragon Releasing Units, and several consular offices in Metro Manila and nearby provinces at 1 p.m. Monday due to continuous heavy rainfall brought by the Southwest Monsoon.

The affected offices are Consular Offices NCR North, NCR South, NCR Northeast, NCR West, Malolos, and Pampanga, with operations set to resume on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

The DFA said applicants affected by the suspension will be accommodated within 30 days from their original appointment dates, while those needing emergency or urgent consular services may contact the appropriate DFA offices through their official channels.