Flood submerges hundreds of houses in Zamboanga City

A SITIO in Barangay Curuan, Zamboanga City is submerged in floodwater spawned by heavy rains due to localized thunderstorms Tuesday, Aug. 23. (Zamboanga City LGU photo)

by Liza Abubakar-Jocson, Manila Bulletin

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Hundreds of houses were submerged in floodwater in Barangay Curuan here due to heavy rains spawned by localized thunderstorms Tuesday, Aug. 23.

Barangay Curuan Chairman Joselito Falcasantos identified the affected sitios in his barangay as Mina, Presa, Viga, Inner Presa, Riverside, Poblacion, Urban Poor, Purok 9, and Camias.

A report from the Zamboanga City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) said they are still monitoring affected areas due to the unstable weather condition.

The heavy downpour started at 3 p.m. and caused the river to overflow, resulting in flooding in different areas.

Residents refused to evacuate for fear of looting.

The barangay described the situation as manageable but two sitios, Camias and Tarusan, were placed under close watch.

The CDRRMO, Zamboanga City Police Station 2, and barangay disaster office are on the ground and monitoring the situation.

Palace announces list of holidays for 2023

Malacañang released on Tuesday, Aug. 23, the list of regular holidays and special non-working days next year, 2023.

by Betheena Unite, Manila Bulletin

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Proclamation No. 42 on Monday, Aug. 22, declaring the following dates as regular holidays and special non-working days for 2023.

Regular Holidays

New Year’s Day – January 1 (Sunday)

Araw ng Kagitingan – April 9 (Sunday)

Maundy Thursday – April 6

Good Friday – April 7

Labor Day – May 1 (Monday)

Independence Day – June 12 (Monday)

National Heroes Day – August 28 (Last Monday of August)

Bonifacio Day – November 30 (Thursday)

Christmas Day – December 25 (Monday)

Rizal Day – December 30 (Saturday)

Special Non-Working Days

EDSA People Power Anniversary – February 25 (Saturday)

Black Saturday – April 8

Ninoy Aquino Day – August 21 (Monday)

All Saints’ Day – November 1 (Wednesday)

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary – December 8 (Friday)

Last Day of the Year – December 31 (Sunday)

Additional Special (Non-working) Day – November 2 (Thursday)

The document noted that separate proclamations will be issued by the Palace in declaring as national holidays the observance of Eidul Fitr and Eidul Adha “after the approximate dates of the Islamic holidays have been determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar.”

The proclamation also emphasized the commemoration of the 37th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, “which ushered political, social, and economic reforms in the country,” on Feb. 25 next year.

It likewise stated that Aug. 21 of every year was declared as a national non-working holiday to commemorate the death anniversary of former Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr.

The document also said that Black Saturday, which falls on April 8, 2023, has been traditionally declared as a special non-working day in the country, in observance of Holy Week as “one of the most cherished traditions of our predominantly Catholic people.”

It also noted that the Feast of Immaculate Conception of Mary, which falls on Dec. 8, 2023, must be celebrated yearly.

The proclamation also stressed that declaring Nov. 2, 2023 as an additional special (non-working) day throughout the country “will strengthen family ties by providing more time for the traditional All Saints’ Day, All Souls’ Day activities, as well as promote domestic tourism.”

'Florita' disrupts work, suspends classes

By Catherine S. Valente

, Arlie O. Calalo

, Francis Earl Cueto

, Bella Cariaso

, Franco Jose C. Baroña

 and Moises Cruz, Manila Times

DANGER ZONE This photo provided by the Philippine Information Agency in Tuguegarao City shows the Buntun Bridge nearing alert level. At 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, the water level had reached 4.9 meters, the Tuguegarao City Command Center said.By Catherine S. Valente, , Arlie O. Calalo, , Francis Earl Cueto, , Bella Cariaso , Franco Jose C. Baroña,  and Moises Cruz

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

WET DAY Parents wait for their children to come out of the President Corazon Elementary School in Quezon City on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. suspended classes because of  Tropical Storm ‘Florita.’ PHOTO BY MIKE DE JUAN

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

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