You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?

There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!

Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!


Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!

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Tuesday, September 27, 2022

Statement by VP Sara

 


Gretchen Ho lives her dream in ‘Woman in Action’

by Robert Requintina

Gretchen Ho

Sports host and news anchor Gretchen Ho is living her dream in the latest infotainment program “Woman In Action” where she gets to travel and help people.

“Why am I doing this? When I was young, I imagined myself working for an NGO. Yun talaga ang gusto ko. Gusto ko mag Gawad Kalinga, Habitat for Humanity. And I wanted to travel the Philippines and to help people and go to communities, pero hindi ko alam kung ano ang gagawin ko run exactly,” said Gretchen, 32, when asked about her interest in doing this kind of show, during a virtual mediacon last Friday. 

She added: “Gusto ko lang talagang umikot ng Pilipinas. Tapos years later, I realized, I was doing it already. So sabi ko ang galing talaga ni Lord. Pag meron kang pangarap, or calling, and you stay true to that, you eventually would be led to that no matter what the detours are. So this show is in honor of that childhood dream. Hopefully, we get to travel not just in the Philippines, but around the world and connect people together.”

Premiering on Oct. 1, 7:30 pm on Cignal TV’s One News, with a catch-up airing the next day at 8 pm on One PH, Woman In Action celebrates the life and the countless adventures the world has to offer. Gretchen will take viewers on a riveting journey of awesome discoveries, and at the same time, bring to light the situation of each community.

“Mahilig kami sa courageous travel. I think a lot of people can relate to that. There’s a special segment who loves to discover new things, who love the not-so-traditional way. Bukod sa travel show, we also have public service. So tuloy-tuloy po yung pagtulong namin through this show. But we want to do the public service sustainably. Yung tulong na ibibigay namin, nagpakain lang kami, tapos pag-alis namin wala na. So ganun din yung tinuturo namin sa audiences namin na everytime you go to a place, you can actually leave a mark that will last,” Gretchen also said.

From being a star athlete in college to becoming a respected news anchor and sports host, Gretchen has come a long way in charting her own path and making a name for herself. She has been dubbed as a “woman in action” and an empowered one at that, with her projects and advocacies making a big difference in people’s lives.

This October, Gretchen becomes a fearless wanderer in her new travel infotainment show, Woman In Action, where she explores remote places in the country, highlighting not just their beauty, but also the unique stories of the communities that will inspire and move people to action.

“I’ve found that traveling is best done by going off the beaten path. As a runner, I’ve made it a point to run in each destination I go to, and the streets always reveal something that tourist destinations won’t. It’s in connecting with the people that we really understand and learn about a place. What you will find in this show is not just a sense of adventure, but also a desire to create sustainable impact everywhere we go. That impact isn’t a one-way street though, as we, together with the audiences, seek to be moved and changed by what we see, hear and know” said Gretchen, host of Woman In Action.

With Gretchen’s combined passion for travel, adventure, and public service, Woman In Action delves into each escapade, sharing How To’s and challenges, featuring stories about different individuals and communities and addressing social problems with a call to action.

“What I’ve found in my years working in the media is that there are many young, brilliant people all over the country just waiting for an opportunity. My show seeks to be a vehicle for that – to connect those people to local communities and to our audiences, in an effort to create, not just memories, but also, opportunities. I’m excited about this chance to be able to write and document some of the stories and take a more active part as a producer of the show,” added Gretchen.

Gretchen Ho (left) and MJ Marfori

As an all-around and hardworking woman-in-action, Gretchen has been on a blazing path from her college volleyball days up to her illustrious hosting career. Honed by her dedication and passionate work, Gretchen has become an icon among this generation’s empowered women who weather the proverbial storms in pursuit of their life goals.

The success of her recent campaign, #DonateABikeSaveAJob, helped a thousand families, with more than 1,500 bicycles donated to frontliners and workers for easier transportation during the height of the pandemic. Truly a Woman in Action, Gretchen inspires women to stay true to their calling, find their courage and willpower, and forge their own path to success.


‘Changing the world: one story, one action at a time,’ Woman In Action encourages viewers to be socially responsible travelers and, through its featured stories, inspire people to take action and help entire communities.

Join Gretchen Ho in her travels and explorations in Woman In Action, starting this Oct. 1, 7:30 pm on One News via Cignal, available on CH. 8 SD and CH. 250 HD. You can also catch Woman In Action on SatLite CH. 60 and on the Cignal Play app. Re-watch the episodes the following day at 8:00 pm on One PH, CH. 1.

Meet the couple behind one of Davao’s most successful durian and cacao farms

by Yvette Tan, Manila Bulletin

Davao is known for two crops: durian and cacao. At Belviz Farms, both take center stage.

Husband and wife Emmanuel “Nel”and Mary Grace “Eyeth” Belviz is the couple behind Belviza Farms and Rosario’s Delicacies. (Belviz Farms)

Belviz Farm is a family-owned farm in Calinan District, Davao City. It is currently run by husband and wife Emmanuel “Nel”and Mary Grace “Eyeth” Belviz, who met while studying agriculture in University of the Philippines, Los Banos (UPLB). Nel is in charge of farm operations while Eyeth, who hails from Quezon, is in charge of production and processing for Rosario’s Delicacies, the farm’s brand. Aside from their two main crops, they also produce  jackfruit, mangosteen, and lanzones, as well as seasonal crops like sunflowers.

The farm, which currently spans around 30 hectares of both owned and leased land, was originally established by Nel’s father, acclaimed durian farmer Severino Belviz. The couple had been helping the senior Belviz run the farm since they got married in 2000, taking over after Nel’s dad passed away in 2016.

“Our biggest challenge is what in Bisaya is called ‘inato,’ which loosely translates to traditional farming where you produce, you find a middleman, and you sell,” Nel explained in Taglish. “When my wife and I took over, we saw gaps in the marketing, so we looked for ways to  value-add products so that we can get a higher price on our harvest.”

Though the farm had been producing value-added products like frozen durian, durian candy, and durian jam since 2001, they increased their product line, adding unique items like jackfruit jam. They also revived their tablea production, which had halted in the 1980s, and ventured into bean-to-bar artisanal chocolates after Eyeth was accepted as a scholar to a cocoa and chocolate processing workshop in Ghent, Belgium. Their venture into artisanal chocolates coincided with the local bean-to-bar boom in 2015, when Filipinos were becoming more interested in local cacao. 

It was also a dream come true for Nel, whose childhood dream was to make chocolate candy. Growing up, his dad had explained that the cacao they grew for tablea was the main ingredient of the imported chocolate bars he loved so much, but with added ingredients like milk and sugar. When young Nel failed to make a bar, he promised himself that he would learn to produce chocolate candies one day. “At least now we get to fulfill his childhood dream,” Eyeth said in Tagalog.

Some of the fruits cultivated on the farm. (Belviz Farms)

Belviz Farms

Cacao and durian are actually related, both belonging to the family Malvaceae, which also includes cotton and okra. The two used to be intercropped, until the Belvizes realized that they flourish better when planted separately, as the microclimate produced from the intercropping hinders the growth of both plants. “Cacao and durian, when consumed, also give people a happy feeling because they produce serotonin and tryptophan,” Nel added.

The farm grows 11 durian varieties but is planning to focus on Puyat and Duyaya varieties because these are what’s popular internationally. “The international market only knows Thailand durian, and Puyat is comparable to the Thai variety,” Nel said. “Puyat is highly-resistant to pests and diseases.  It has a smaller canopy [than most varieties], [so] you can plant more per hectare. The taste is very good and it has a longer shelf life than other varieties… but you have to care for it or else you won’t have an abundant harvest.”

Though durian can be lucrative, it can also be intensive to cultivate. “You need at least the basic technical know-how,” Nel said. “It’s not a tree you can plant and forget. They need constant care until about three years old.”

The Puyat variety can be planted in 8×8 formation, for a total of about 158 trees a hectare. It is also possible to plant in 10×10 for a less intensive farm. The Belvizes advise planting nurse plants like bananas for the first three to five years as young durian trees flourish in the shade. The harvested bananas will also serve as a source of income while waiting for the durian trees to mature.

The durian trees will start flowering in about four years, though it’s suggested to wait until five or six years to begin harvesting to ensure good harvests. Around the fourth year, the banana trees can slowly be pared away to give the durian trees much-needed sun. “After six years, you can eliminate bananas and you can start harvesting from your durian,” Nel said.

If cared for properly, a healthy durian tree can produce fruits for up to 50 years, though the practice is to keep them up to 35-43 years to maintain a quality harvest. The farm also houses native varieties which are said to be around 135 years old. “As long as you fertilize properly, don’t overfruit your trees, practice fruit thinning, proper drainage, and proper care, I think your durian can last 50 years or more.”

The couple is currently focusing on durian because of the huge local demand and the growing interest in it internationally, with countries like Japan, US, China, and even Thailand looking to import. When asked if the Philippines can meet the global demand for durian, Nel was quick to say, “No, we need to plant more.”

The areas not planted to durian are used to grow cacao. They also source wet beans from nearby farmers and cooperatives, opting to process them themselves. “We ferment them ourselves so we can ensure their quality,” Nel said. “Flavor consistency is an important factor for good chocolate, and it starts in the fermentation process.”

Durian jam, one of the many value-added products from Belviz Farm that is sold under Rosario’s Delicacies. (Belviz Farms)

Rosario’s Delicacies

Working in tandem with Belviz Farms is Rosario’s Delicacies, its value-adding arm, which Eyeth manages. “We didn’t have a background in marketing and trends when we started,” Eyeth shared. “We started developing products because there was a need to use farm surplus. The benchmarking came after.”

Their first customers were folks studying farming in the farm, which is an Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) learning site. “We saw that there was a market, and from there, we created products like frozen durian, durian Jam, and durian candy.”

“We weren’t thinking about profit at first,” Nel added. “Fresh durian has a very short shelf life, so we needed to find a way to extend their selling time. That was why we ventured into processing.”

They were able to expand the availability of their products through the help of several government agencies. “They invited us to trade fairs, local bazaars, even international trade fairs,” Eyeth said, adding that though travel expense was a challenge, the government agencies tried to augment it by giving them free booth space. “The experience exposed us to different kinds of products and marketing. We learned how to deal with buyers and how to develop and improve our products.”

Their clientele began to expand by word of mouth. “Actually, our government is very supportive of SMEs and farmers. We just have to (avail of it).”

The couple stressed the importance of value-added products in adding to a farm’s revenue. They equally stress that value-adding and marketing requires a different approach and mindset, and ideally, a separate team altogether. This is exactly why Nel manages Belviz Farms and Eyeth manages Rosarios’ Delicacies: they’re both managing different businesses. 

Eyeth addressed the unintentionally dismissive response many of the public have towards farmers who complain about having surplus harvests with, “just turn it into something else:” “A lot of people misinterpret value-adding as a way for a farm to make money, when it should be that the farm is already making money before going into value-adding.”

Another thing to consider when going into production is to expand beyond one’s farm by working with supplies from other farmers and processors. “We work with other farmers and processors,” Nel says. “We don’t think of them as competitors but as collaborators. That’s how we increase our market.”

Working with other small farmers allows SMEs like Belviz Farms, Rosarios’ Delicacies, and their collaborators to compete with bigger industry players. “We should work as an industry, from farming to processing to working with suppliers and networking with logistics and government agencies,” eyeth says. “We need to group together to achieve economies of scale.”

An example of this was during the first lock down in 2020, Davao durian farmers had no customers because tourism had been halted. The group coordinated with the DA’s High Value Crops (department), who helped find clients outside Davao. “The cost of logistics were high, so everyone helped each other,” Nel said. “We were able to get a lower price working together than if we had done it alone.”

“We have to be resilient,” Eyeth added. “Resilience is an important characteristic of a farmer.”

Rosario’s Delicacies counts artisanal chocolate as one of its best sellers. (Belviz Farms)

The power of marketing

 The couple credits treating both farm and value-adding as businesses as part of the formula to their success after taking over. “Marketing is important,” Eyeth said. “If you don’t know your target audience, you’ll lose interest in farming… You need proper marketing, networking, and coordination with your target market.”

A recognizable brand and consistently high quality products are important as well, since the brand is the first thing customers see and of course, good products are what will keep them coming back.

It’s also important, especially for SMEs (Small and Mid-sized Enterprises), to constantly be on their toes. This is why it will shock  customers to find out that the Belvizes don’t consider themselves “successful” yet. “For us, success is a journey, not a destination,” Eyeth explained. “It’s how you survive. You consider yourself successful because you’ve weathered a challenge… you’ve innovated, you’ve helped other farmers, and you’ve helped build your industry. For us, it’s… part of being a successful farmer.

Nel and Eyeth Belviz are very happy in their chosen profession. “I love planning. There’s a cycle… If you plan (properly), when the durian flowers bloom, your farm will look like a winter wonderland because even the ground will look white because of all the falling petals. For me, that’s one of the most magical times in durian farming because from there, you can estimate if you’ll have a good harvest that year.”

“Farming is a good investment because farming is life,” Eyeth said. “No matter what happens, you won’t starve if you have a farm.”

Nel added, “There’s a saying that goes, ‘You will need a doctor once, twice, or ten times in your lifetime, but you will need a farmer every day.’”

The couple hope that more people, especially the youth, will consider a career in agriculture. “For those who want to farm or are already farming, please keep doing so because farming is forever,” Eyeth said. “You’ll be able to sustain not just your family, but also your community.”

'Sparkada' ladies face career challenges head on


INSTAGRAM PHOTO/KIRSTENGONZALES_


By Iza Iglesias, Manila Times


The entertainment world can be as exciting with tons of career paths to choose from but it can also be tough to break into. Just like anybody else, one has got to start somewhere. New members of Sparkle, GMA Network's talent arm, know just that.

Collectively called Sparkada, the fresh faces include Raheel Bhyria, Caitlyn Stave, Roxie Smith, Kim Perez, Tanya Ramos, Kirsten Gonzales, Vince Maristela and Sean Lucas who are all handpicked by renowned star-maker Johnny Manahan. All have the looks and the talent, but the journey to stardom takes more than that to succeed.

Among the discoveries Gonzales found about herself is how she was able to push her limits when it comes to doing what she is very passionate about.

"Akala ko madali lang lahat kasi I think I have the talent na, I thought enough na yun. Pero you really have to exceed the expectations of people and because of that, napu-push ako to get out of my comfort zone and to grow," shared Gonzales in an intimate Zoom conference.

As someone who entered showbiz pretty quickly with no background, Stave also took some time to adjust to the culture.

"I had no absolute idea what to expect but because I'm is super outgoing, super energetic, I wasn't so scared or too nervous upon entering. When I was really there, though, knowing what really goes on, it is hard and it is really difficult. It's not easy. At the same time, I'm also passionate about what I do and I'm having so much fun," Stave enthused.

Being open to new challenges is also what made Smith more confident to where she is now. From being a beauty queen who won Miss Philippines Earth 2020 and competed in other major pageants such as Miss Tourism & Culture Universe 2019 (1st Runner-Up) and Face of Tourism Philippines 2019, she was able to do other things that she never thought she will do now that she is in GMA.

"Totoo pala na you could achieve anything you set your mind and your heart to. Kasi noong pumasok ako akala ko ang mabibigay ko lang is acting.But I get really good feedback with my hosting. So, I am now a morning show host in 'Unang Hirit' which is something I never thought I could actually do and didn't think have the confidence to do," Smith happily said.

Pinoys prioritize hygiene over food during emergencies

By Tiziana Celine Piatos, Manila Times

September 27, 2022


FILIPINOS are more likely to buy personal care and hygiene products than food during disasters or emergencies, a study showed.

A research on Filipino shopping habits conducted by Packworks Sari IQ and which it shared with The Manila Times on Monday showed that 18 percent of the sales of sari-sari or small convenience stores is made up of hair care products.

Laundry supplies were the second most popular items, with 16 percent of sales.

Other purchases, which include oral care, body care, beverages and canned goods, came in third with 15 percent.

Breakfast items like tea, coffee and creamer came in fourth with 14 percent.

Cooking necessities followed at 13 percent, oats and cereals at 13 percent, and pasta and noodles at 11 percent.

Packworks Sari IQ said the research covered purchases in sari-sari stores in areas affected by the earthquake in Abra last June, the eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas in March, and Typhoon "Odette" in Leyte in December 2021.

When the Abra earthquake struck, the volume of products in the hair care category spiked by more than 50 percent of sales during normal days.

During the Taal upheavals, sales of hair care products went up by more than 50 percent.

The purchasing priorities were different after Odette devastated Leyte. During that calamity, the sale of noodles and other cooking necessities soared by over 60 percent.

In normal times, hair care products come in last in terms of average consumer spending, second behind pasta and noodles at 15 percent.

"The Philippines is a regular target of natural disasters because of its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Residents at the epicenter opt to buy their immediate necessities from a nearby sari-sari store rather than go to big supermarkets," said Andres Montiel, Packworks' head of Data.

Montiel said it is highly helpful in tracking what items are considered as essential by consumers during natural disasters.

"This can be helpful in demand planning and product seasonality on the brand principal's end," he added.

Oil firms cut pump prices anew


By Ed Paolo Salting, Manila Times

September 27, 2022


Pilipinas Shell, Cleanfuel, PetroGazz and Seaoil announced on Monday that diesel prices will go down by P1.25 per liter and gasoline by P1.65 per liter.


Pilipinas Shell and Cleanfuel said they will reduce the cost of kerosene by P1.35 per liter.


Based on the monitoring of the Department of Energy, as of Sept. 20, 2022, oil companies have implemented a per liter decrease in diesel by P4.15 and P4.45 for kerosene.


These resulted in year-to-date adjustments at a net increase of P30.65/liter for diesel, P25.45/liter for kerosene and P16.50 for gasoline.

Monday, September 26, 2022

Life coach and best-selling author Myke Celis wins Top Celebrity Life Coach Award

by Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Filipino life coach and best selling author, Myke Celis was recently awarded as one of the Top Celebrity Life Coaches worldwide by leading premiere global professional coach education and training company, Coach Foundation. It is headed by multiple#1 best selling author, Forbes contributor and top mentor Coach, Sai Blackbyrn, a well-renowned figure in the coaching industry himself.

The organizer Coach Foundation shared, “Coach Foundation has proudly awarded Myke Celis as a Top Celebrity Life Coach. This award signifies our recognition of his commitment and dedication to helping others become the best version of themselves. We wish you the best of luck and continued success.”

Coach Myke Celis, who’s known to be a familiar face in media across print, radio, TV and digital as a go-to subject matter expert and resource person in coaching and as the powerhouse best selling author behind the #bestmeever book series, was pleasantly surprised with the win.

“I wasn’t expecting it. When they told me about the nomination and that they will do a background check and research about me if I fit the category, I was like, these guys mean business. So I just let things be and lo and behold, imagine my surprise when I got the award! I am just grateful to be recognized for what I love to do best as I always let my work speak for me.”

Doing what he loves best means coaching celebrities, top executives and highly successful people while mentoring aspiring coaches worldwide. To date, some of his clients have successfully re-launched their careers, became multi-awarded entrepreneurs or on their way to becoming best selling authors, like Coach Myke Celis himself.

“It feels surreal to be chosen as the only Filipino alongside other celebrity life coaches from all over the world and see how much impact they have made in their own space. Contrary to popular belief, being a celebrity life coach is not just about having celebrity or high profile clients or being a familiar face in media — there’s more to than just the glitz and glamor behind the title actually, but rather, it’s about being able to help people, whether in the spotlight or there after, thrive and become their own #bestmeever, no matter how that looks like for them. It’s actually a big responsibility, not only to myself, but to all those who trust and believe in me. And now, as I proudly carry the Philippine flag with me no matter where I go in the industry, I always take that responsibility to heart. It’s a privilege to win for our country.”

Coach Myke Celis is currently the only Filipino nominated in two categories in the international Coach Awards 2022: Best Executive Coach and Best Wellness Coach. You may support him by logging on to www.coachawards.com and click on his name to vote.

Charity should animate our zeal



By Fr. Roy Cimagala *


WE should see to it that our zeal to do the things of God is always animated by charity. Without charity, that zeal would do us more harm than good. It would be a zeal that defeats the purpose of serving God.


We are reminded of this danger in the gospel when some of the apostles told Christ to rain fire on those who did not welcome him who was then passing by a certain town on his way to Jerusalem. (cfr. Lk 9,54) Christ had to tell them, “You know not of what spirit you are. The Son of man came not to destroy souls, but to save.” (Lk 9,55-56)


When the zeal is not animated by charity, it can only mean that that zeal is not righteous, that it does not channel the zeal of Christ who himself once said, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Lk 12,49) It would be a zeal that would only satisfy one’s own desires. It is a self-righteous zeal that often is marked by bitterness and recklessness.


The zeal that is animated by charity is always marked by patience, understanding, compassion, magnanimity. And while it can connote quickness of action, it is also very much compatible with prudence. While it is clear about its focus or goal, which is the glorification of God and salvation and sanctification of man, it is willing to adapt to the way people are. It is quite versatile.


This aspect of the zeal proper to us is very relevant these days since we are bombarded with so many things and have to contend with so many confusing developments. A proper amount of restraint and moderation is needed if only to study things well and come out with a good action plan.


When we have a charity-animated zeal, we would always end up energized and optimistic in spite of the great effort and sacrifice that may be involved. It would be zeal that is self-perpetuating, since it would be fueled more by the grace of God than by our mere efforts.


We have to be careful with the phenomenon that is called bitter zeal. It is the wrong zeal of intending to do good but discarding the requirements and details of charity. It is Machiavellian in spirit.


Bitter zeal makes a person hasty and reckless in his assessment of things. It makes him fail to consider all angles, to listen to both sides, so to speak. He is prone to imprudence.


Inflammatory, incendiary words are his main weapons. Being belligerent is his style. He relishes in rousing controversies and sowing intrigues. He’s actually not as interested in looking for the objective truth and justice as in carrying out his own personal cause.


He is prone to keeping resentments and to being unable to forget the perceived wrongs done on him. He finds it hard to understand, much less, forgive others in their mistakes. He likes to exact vengeance of the tit-for-tat type, evil for evil.


We have to learn the art of loving with the love of God as shown by Christ on the cross. It is a love that is patient, willing to suffer for others. It is gratuitously given, even if it is not reciprocated.


We have to make sure that we are always burning with the zeal of love!


* Chaplain Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE), Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com


PAL resumes operations

By Benjamin L. Vergaram, Manila Times


Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Monday said it has resumed full operations at its Manila hub as the weather has improved.


PAL said flights to and from Manila will operate today, September 26, except for those previously cancelled.


"Some flights may need to be delayed or adjusted. It will take some time to restore normal schedules even after the typhoon recedes and weather improves," it said in a statement.


The flag carrier needs to reposition aircraft that were held back or diverted to other airports, and adjust schedules based on revised slots and clearances in affected airports in coordination with aviation authorities.


"PAL will keep a close watch on the weather situation at Metro Manila and the central and northern Philippines, as heavy rainfall may continue to affect certain areas. Our main concern is safety, and we may need to cancel or adjust flights if required for safety reasons related to weather conditions," it said.


PAL advised passengers who have flights to or from Manila and other affected areas to check the status of their journey by logging on to www.philippineairlines.com and click the "Flight Status" icon on the main page, and then fill in the flight number (without the "PR" or "2P" designation, just the number itself) and date of departure.


The flight's status is updated in real time.

Classes in NCR called off

By Kristina Maralit, Kaithreen Cruz, Bernadette E. Tamayo, Jomar Canlas and Aric John Sy Cua


PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Sunday approved the suspension of work and classes in several regions affected by Super Typhoon "Karding."


"The President has approved the recommendation of the NDRRMC for the suspension of work and classes due to Typhoon Karding," Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles said in a text message to reporters.


Marcos is also "in constant communication" with Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos for possible evacuations, especially in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding, the official added.


The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recommended to the Chief Executive the suspension of work in government offices in Metro Manila, Region 1 (Ilocos), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Region 5 (Bicol), Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon), and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan).


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


Ahead of the President's move, several cities in Metro Manila called off classes for today, September 26, because of Karding (international name: "Noru").


Storm Signal No. 4 was raised in some areas in Metro Manila on Sunday as Karding was forecast to cut across Central Luzon.


The governments of Manila, Pasig and Quezon Cities announced the suspension of classes.



Court operations in Regions 3-5, NCR suspended

The Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City and the Lyceum of the Philippines University in Manila also suspended classes in all levels for today.


The Supreme Court suspended court operations in Regions 3 to 5 and the National Capital Region because of Karding.


Acting Chief Justice Marvic Mario Victor Leonen wrote on Twitter that judges and justices in the other regions can decide whether to call off court proceedings.


Covered by the directive are Region 3 (Central Luzon), Regions 4 and 5 (Southern Luzon), and the National Capital Judicial Region.


Marcos suspends work, classes in several regions

The Senate will not hold session today because of the typhoon.


Senate President Juan Miguel "Migz" Zubiri issued the suspension of work order on Sunday through Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr.


He said the Senate will resume session on Tuesday.