GORING'S FURY. A rescue team of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Batac City, Ilocos Norte helps evacuate flooded residents in Barangay Quiling Norte on Wednesday (Aug. 30, 2023). Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Joseph Manotoc earlier declared suspension of work and classes due to bad weather. (Photo courtesy of the City Government of Batac)
LAOAG CITY – Classes and work in government offices and public and private schools in Ilocos provinces have been suspended on Wednesday due to Super Typhoon Goring.
In a statement Tuesday night, Ilocos Norte Gov. Matthew Marcos Manotoc said the suspension covers government offices and classes at all levels in both public and private schools.
"Respective heads of private companies are likewise encouraged to cancel work to safeguard their personnel," Manotoc said in a statement.
In Ilocos Sur, Gov. Jeremias Singson issued an executive order extending the suspension of classes in private and public schools at all levels to minimize the effects and damage of the typhoon.
Since Tuesday, most areas in Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur provinces have been experiencing intermittent rains, rendering several roads not passable and some houses flooded.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued a red rainfall advisory, advising local residents particularly those living in low-lying areas to take precautionary measures as possible floods and landslides are likely to occur.
Singson and Manotoc have exempted from the suspension of the government offices involved in emergency and disaster response and basic and health services to ensure the unhampered delivery of public services.
As of 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, members of the search and rescue team of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in Batac City rescued some trapped residents in Barangay Quiling Norte due to floods.
They use ropes and fiberglass boats to evacuate affected residents to safer grounds.
Several heavy equipment from the city government had been prepositioned in flood-prone areas for clearing operations. (PNA)
