Philippines suspends classes as extreme weather affects 5 million

The Philippine government has suspended in-person classes in Metro Manila and 12 other provinces as heavy rains brought by tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon continue to batter the country, local media reported Monday.

Around 5.08 million people across 10 regions in the Philippines have been affected by extreme rainfall, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Monday. About 1.45 million families have been affected, with 24,893 people seeking shelter in 523 evacuation centers. The government has provided 734.1 million pesos (about $11.93 million) in aid so far.

The extreme weather has claimed 23 lives, injured 17 others and left one person missing. It has also damaged 1,863 houses, including 182 that were destroyed, according to the OCD.

At least 50 cities and towns have declared a state of calamity, with Pampanga and Cavite placing all their municipalities under the status, the OCD said.

According to Memorandum Circular No. 127 issued by the presidential office on Monday, government agencies in Metro Manila and 12 provinces were directed to adopt alternative work arrangements, while schools were to shift to alternative learning modes. Frontline services such as health, disaster response and other essential functions were to continue operating.

The extreme rainfall has triggered severe flooding and landslides across the nation. The flood-control corruption scandal has left key infrastructure unfinished or poorly maintained, further straining the country's disaster response, local media reported.