Aquino cancels activities to monitor Glenda

MANILA, Philippines – President Benigno Aquino III has cancelled his scheduled activities on Wednesday, July 16, to monitor Typhoon Glenda (Rammasun).

Malacañang alerted Palace reporters on the change in schedule in a text message sent on Wednesday morning.

Aquino was scheduled to keynote the opening ceremony of the Asian Defense, Security, and Crisis Management Exhibition and Conference (ADAS 2014) at the World Trade Center in Pasay City at 10 am, and meet with Palace officials in the afternoon.

In his meeting with members of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday, Aquino directed authorities to “minimize the casualties and the hardship of our people” living in affected areas.

Malacañang had earlier suspended Wednesday classes in all levels in the National Capital Region and work in government offices – except those performing vital functions during times of calamities – in areas under Typhoon Signal 2.

Memorandum Circular No. 67, signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr, exempted “agencies whose functions involve the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital public services,” all of whom will continue operations to render the necessary services. – Rappler.com