Marcos suspends govt work, classes in public schools due to 'Florita'

By Catherine S. Valente

(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has suspended government work and public school classes in all levels in Metro Manila and several other provinces beginning Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday, August 24, due to Severe Tropical Storm Florita.

Upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles said the President declared the suspension of government work and classes in the National Capital Region (NCR), including the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Zambales and Bataan starting 1:00 p.m.

"The President has declared a suspension of work and classes in all levels today until tomorrow, for all government offices and public schools in NCR, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, Bulacan, Zambales and Bataan, due to Severe Tropical Storm Florita," Cruz-Angeles said in a statement.

"The heavy rains pose possible risks to the general public based on the recommendations of the Office of Civil Defense," she added.

However, government agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness or response to disaster and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services will continue their operations.

"The recommended suspension will prevent any untoward incidents and will ensure the safety of the general public," the NDRRMC said.

Meanwhile, Cruz-Angeles said suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads.

"The same course of action for private schools and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads," she said.

Travelers to PH reminded to register online for One Health Pass

By Kristina Maralit

THE Office of the Press Secretary on Tuesday reminded all inbound passengers to first register for the One Health Pass online before embarking on their trip as this is one of the requirements needed for their entry into the country.

Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles likewise cautioned the public against accessing websites posing as legitimate government offices to ensure their hassle-free arrival.

"The only official website of the Bureau of Quarantine's One Health Pass for all international travelers arriving in the Philippines is https:// www.onehealthpass.com.ph," the official said in a statement.

"OHP is required for all arriving international travelers in accordance with the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases Resolution No. 135 to prevent and/or minimize the entry of suspected or confirmed individuals with emerging infectious diseases," she added.

The DOH has detected the fourth case of monkeypox in the country.

The patient, however, has no documented history of travel to where there is an outbreak of the disease.

'Bootleg Beatles' Davao, Cebu shows canceled

Concert Republic, who is bringing The Bootleg Beatles concerts to the Philippines announced today that its shows in Davao and Cebu are canceled. This, despite the best efforts of Concert Republic and The Bootleg Beatles for all scheduled shows to happen.

"Regrettably we have to cancel our forthcoming concerts in Davao and Cebu due to unforeseen production logistics," Concert Republic said in a statement.

"However, our Manila show at Philippine International Convention Center on Sunday, October 30, will proceed as advertised," the concert producer assured.

The Bootleg Beatles was supposed to be staged in SMX Davao City on October 27 and in Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City on October 29.

Breaking News: Tropical Cyclone Florita Tracker

23. August 2022 10:30 AM

Severe tropical storm Florita (international name: Ma-on) will likely make landfall over northern Isabela—on the coast of Palanan, Maconacon, or Divilacan this morning, Aug. 23, or over Cagayan—on the coast of Gattaran, Baggao, or Peñablanca, before noon or early afternoon, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Diesel cost to go up by P2.60 per liter, kerosene by P2.80

By Eireene Jairee Gomez, Manila Times

In an advisory, Pilipinas Shell said it will increase the price of diesel by P2.60 per liter, kerosene by P2.80 per liter and gasoline by 70 centavos per liter at 6 a.m. Tuesday. Cleanfuel said it will raise the price of gasoline by 70 centavos per liter and diesel by P2.80 per liter at 4:01 p.m.

Seaoil will also increase the cost of gasoline by 70 centavos per liter, diesel by P2.60 per liter and kerosene by P2.80 per liter at 6 a.m. tomorrow.

Other oil companies are expected to follow suit.

The Department of Energy's Oil Industry Management Bureau Director Rino Abad earlier attributed the hefty increases in pump prices to higher US fuel consumption.

'Florita' intensifies; Signal No. 2 up in Luzon

By Arlie O. Calalo, Manila Times

'FLORITA' has escalated into a tropical storm, prompting the weather bureau to raise Signal No. 2 in many areas in Luzon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Signal No. 2 was raised over the eastern portion of Cagayan (Enrile, Tuguegarao City, Peñablanca, Iguig, Baggao, Gattaran, Lal-Lo, Gonzaga, Santa Teresita, Buguey and Santa Ana), the eastern and central portions of Isabela (Cabagan, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan, San Mariano, Ilagan City, Delfin Albano, Tumauini, Santo Tomas, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, Quirino, San Manuel, Aurora, Cabatuan, Luna, Burgos, Gamu, Reina Mercedes, City of Cauayan, Alicia, San Isidro, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, San Guillermo, Angadanan, Naguilian, Benito Soliven and Dinapigue), the extreme northern portion of Aurora (Dilasag and Casiguran) and the north-eastern portion of Quirino (Maddela) in Luzon.

Signal No. 1 is up in the rest of Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, the rest of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler, Maria Aurora and San Luis), and the northern portion of Polillo Island (Panukulan and Burdeos).

Pagasa said the tropical storm was estimated some 215 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora while moving west-southwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph).