Residents use improvised boats while others wade through heavy flooding and torrential rain brought by the southwest monsoon in Cainta, Rizal on Aug. 9, 2026.The Philippine STAR / Miguel de Guzman

Palace orders alternative work, learning setup in Metro Manila, other areas on Aug. 14

14 Aug 2026, 03:18 by Renalyn Ramirez · philstar

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang directed government offices and public and private schools in Metro Manila and 12 other provinces to shift to alternative work and learning arrangements on Friday, August 14, amid persistent heavy rains.

Memorandum Circular No. 126 issued by Malacañang declared alternative work and learning arrangements in the following areas:

National Capital Region
Zambales
Bataan
Bulacan
Pampanga
Tarlac
Nueva Ecija
Cavite
Batangas
Rizal
Laguna
Quezon
Occidental Mindoro

The private sector may also adopt the alternative work setup or suspend operations depending on management’s decision.

Operations will continue in agencies related to basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response and other vital services.

The memorandum said the directive was based on the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, citing the weather forecast of state weather bureau PAGASA.

As of 10:10 a.m., PAGASA raised an orange rainfall warning in Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, five areas in Pampanga, 11 areas in Bulacan, 14 areas in Cavite and six areas in Batangas. Heavy to intense rains are expected in these areas.

A yellow rainfall warning was raised in Tarlac, nine other areas in Cavite, 17 areas in Pampanga, 13 areas in Bulacan, 12 areas in Rizal and three areas in Laguna.