(Eagle News) – Malacanang has suspended work in government offices in Metro Manila on Tuesday, April 23, as President Rodrigo Duterte directed all governors of affected provinces to assess damage in their areas following the 6.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Luzon Monday.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that this was upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
“Per Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as recommended by the NDRRMC and in order to ease up the load of the public transport system, work in government in Metro Manila is suspended on 23 April 2019,” he said in a statement.
“The President has directed the Governors of the affected provinces to assess the damage sustained by their respective localities and take the necessary measures to ensure public safety,” Panelo added.
Operations of the Metro Manila Transit, Light Rail Transit, and the Philippine National Railways were suspended Monday night in the quake’s aftermath.
MRT-3 and LRT 2 operations however resumed on Tuesday morning after the required inspection of the facilities.
At least five casualties were reported in Pampanga because of the quake