Classes, gov't work suspended today due to Nando

Classes and government work have been suspended today in Metro Manila and nearby provinces due to Super Typhoon Nando (international name Ragasa), according to Malacañang.

- By HELEN FLORES and CHRISTINE BOTON

Covered by the order are Metro Manila, Abra, Antique, Apayao, Bataan, Batanes, Batangas, Benguet, Bulacan, Cagayan, Cavite, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Laguna, Mountain Province, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Palawan, Romblon, Rizal, Tarlac and Zambales.

The move to cancel work in government and classes in the said areas was upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council based on Memorandum Circular 97, issued on Sunday night.

The memo, however, said agencies responsible for basic, vital and health services, preparedness and response duties must continue to remain operational to ensure continuity of essential government functions.

Nando maintained its strength yesterday as it moved closer to extreme northern Luzon, with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warning of destructive winds, heavy rains, storm surges and dangerous seas.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Nando was spotted 450 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 185 km per hour near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph.

Signal No. 3 is up over the southern portion of Batanes, the Babuyan Islands and the northeastern part of mainland Cagayan, where storm-force winds pose a significant threat to life and property within the next 18 hours.

Signal No. 2 is raised over the rest of Cagayan, Batanes, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, and portions of Isabela, Mountain Province and Ilocos Sur.