CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — Malacañang yesterday (Nov. 9) issued Memorandum Circular No. 106, ordering the suspension of work in government offices and classes in multiple regions of the country today (Nov. 10), as the nation braces for the impact of Super Typhoon “Uwan.”
The memorandum, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin by authority of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., was issued upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). The memorandum took effect immediately upon issuance.
The memo says that work in all government offices in the National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), and Regions I, II, III, IV-A, IV-B, V, and VIII is suspended on November 10.
Meanwhile, classes at all levels are suspended on November 10 and 11 in the aforementioned regions, including Region VI, Region VII, and the Negros Island Region, to ensure the safety of students and education personnel.
The Department of Education (DepEd) immediately relayed the Palace directive, instructing regional and division offices to suspend classes and work in affected areas.
However, the circular clarified that agencies involved in basic, vital, and health services, preparedness, and disaster response must continue operations. Government offices may also implement alternative work arrangements as necessary to ensure the continuity of essential functions.
Local government units (LGUs) outside the affected regions may declare their own class and work suspensions “pursuant to relevant laws, rules, and regulations,” while the decision for private companies is left to their respective management.
In Cebu City
Mayor Nestor Archival also issued a formal advisory at 1:26 p.m. yesterday confirming the suspension of classes in all levels, both public and private, for today and tomorrow (Nov. 10-11). The announcement was made in direct alignment with Malacañang’s order and the NDRRMC’s recommendation.
“This precautionary measure aims to ensure the safety and welfare of all students, teachers, and school personnel,” Archival stated, urging residents to stay indoors, monitor official weather advisories, and observe necessary safety precautions.
The Cebu City Government has activated its local disaster response protocols, and instructed barangay units to coordinate with the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) for preemptive clearing, evacuation readiness, and monitoring of flood-prone zones.
Archival’s office also confirmed that further announcements will be issued as the situation develops, especially for mountain barangays still recovering from the effects of Typhoon Tino.
In Mandaue City
Mayor Jonkie Ouano announced, through his official Facebook page, that classes in all public schools are suspended until Wednesday, November 12, to allow more time for recovery following the damage caused by Typhoon Tino.
“Daghang salamat sa inyong padayon nga pasensya, pagsabot, ug kooperasyon, mga Mandauehanon. Magtinabangay tang tanan sa atong pagbangon ug pagpadayon,” Ouano said.
Private schools are authorized to implement Alternative Delivery Modes (ADM) at their discretion, he added.
In Lapu-Lapu City
Mayor Cindi King-Chan also announced a class suspension for Monday and Tuesday, with classes expected to resume on Wednesday, November 12.
“Mga kids, kahibaw ko nagpaabot gyud mo ani. Wala klase ugma ug Martes. Merkules na ta balik ha. Amping and stay safe. I love you all!” the mayor said in her post.
Lapu-Lapu City Lone District Representative Junard “Ahong” Chan, meanwhile, reminded students and teachers of the importance of returning to regular classes once it is safe to do so.
“Aduna say mga nanginabuhian nga maapektohan kung walay klase…ato intawon ihatag ang atong kaugalingon nga motungha gayud sa atong klase sugod sa Merkules,” Chan said, adding that many small businesses and transport workers rely on the regular school schedule for their livelihood.
Monitoring Uwan
As of Sunday evening, authorities continue to monitor Uwan’s movement, which is expected to bring widespread rains, strong winds, and coastal flooding across several regions, including parts of the Visayas.
The NDRRMC and local disaster councils have urged the public to stay alert and follow official advisories as the typhoon continues to move closer to landfall.
Based on PAGASA’s Tropical Cyclone Bulletin issued at 5 p.m. yesterday (Nov. 9), and valid for broadcast until the next advisory to be issued later at 8 p.m., Cebu is still under Tropical Storm Warning Signal number 1.
Super Typhoon Uwan is forecast to move west northwestward over the next 24 hours. On the track forecast, the center of the eye of Uwan will pass close to Polillo Islands before making landfall at or near its peak intensity (e.g., as a super typhoon or an upper limit of typhoon) over the central portion of Aurora last night or early morning today (Nov. 10).
After landfall, Uwan will traverse the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon and emerge over Lingayen Gulf or the coastal waters of Pangasinan or La Union this morning today.
“The interaction with the terrain will cause Uwan to weaken significantly, but it is expected to remain as typhoon throughout its passage over Northern Luzon,” PAGASA said.
Uwan will begin to turn northwestward to northward from yesterday to Tuesday (Nov. 11) while remaining at typhoon category.
PAGASA added that, on Wednesday (Nov. 12), Uwan will turn northeastward towards the Taiwan Strait while weakening. It is forecast to make landfall over western Taiwan on Thursday (Nov. 13) then rapidly weaken over the Taiwan landmass before emerging over the waters near Ryukyu Islands as a remnant low or weak tropical depression.
| Written by Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Caecent Magsumbol
