Rules on govt work suspension out

MANILA, Philippines – Government offices and employees now have official guidelines for suspension of work due to typhoons and other calamities.

Executive Order No. 66 s. 2012, which Malacañang released on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, outlines rules on cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government offices in inclement weather or other calamities. 

The EO states that there will be automatic cancellation or suspension of classes and work in government offices based on these guidelines:

• When Signal No. 1 is raised by PAGASA, classes at the pre-school level, in the affected area, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.
• When Signal No. 2 is raised by PAGASA, classes at the pre-school, elementary and secondary levels, in the affected area, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended,
• When Signal No. 3 or higher is raised by PAGASA, classes at pre-school, elementary, secondary, and tertiary levels, in the affected area, including graduate school, as well as work in all government offices, shall be automatically cancelled or suspended.

It directs state weather bureau, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), to issue forecasts not later than 10 pm the previous day, and 4:30 am on the day of the intended cancellation of classes and work.

Meanwhile, local chief executives, in coordination with the PAGASA and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC), can announce localized cancellations and suspensions, specifically in areas at high risk of floods and other disasters.

“Announcements will be made not later than 4:30 AM of the day of the intended cancellation of classes and work, or not later than 11:00 AM for suspension of work and classes in the afternoon session, through diverse mass media, particularly radio and television, landline communications and other technologies for communication within the community or locality,” the order said.

Other calamities

For other calamities, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, cancellations or suspensions shall follow the declaration of a state of calamity, based on the recommendation of the NDRRMC. Local government officials shall be in charge of information dissemination through all forms of mass media available under the circumstances, the EO states.

However, not all government work shall be suspended. The EO states that the following offices shall maintain work, especially those directly involved in disaster risk reduction and management:

• Office of the Executive Secretary
• Department of National Defense
• Department of the Interior and Local Government
• Department of Social Welfare and Development
• Department of Science and Technology
• Department of Health
• Department of Public Works and Highways
• Department of Education
• Other agencies whose operations the President or the NDRRMC may deem necessary

These offices shall determine which units or divisions will continue operations in disaster situations. The NDRRMC is also mandated to report any suspension or cancellation to the President, through the Executive Secretary.

The EO was signed last Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, and took effect immediately.

Class suspensions for elementary and high school levels have been under the jurisdiciton of the Department of Education, based on DepEd Order No. 28, series of 2005.

Meanwhile, suspension or cancellation of classes at the college level is at the discretion of the colleges and universities concerned. The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) does not declare class suspensions. – Rappler.com