As Super Typhoon Pepito continues to affect different parts of the country on Sunday, November 17, Malacañang leaves the suspension of classes and government work for Monday, November 18, 2024 to local government units (LGUs).

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said the decision was taken following consultation with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and relevant government agencies.

However, he urged local chief executives to consider the situation in their respective localities to decide whether to suspend classes and work in government offices on Monday.

Super Typhoon Pepito made landfall in Panganiban, Catanduanes on Saturday evening and in Dipacula, Aurora on Sunday afternoon.

The provinces of Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino remain under signal no. 5 starting at 5:00 PM on Sunday, while Metro Manila is at signal no. 1.

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) on Sunday issued precautionary warnings regarding lahar flows in the affected provinces.

Recognizing the recent activities of Mayon, Pinatubo, and Taal volcanoes and the trajectory of “Pepito,” DOST-Phivolcs strongly recommended increased preparedness and vigilance of communities in predetermined lahar areas and associated hazards.

Phivolcs said pyroclastic density current (PDC) deposits of Mayon volcano could occupy catchment areas, while potential lahar and sediment-laden flows may occur along Miisi, Buyuan, Binaan, Anoling, Quirangay, Mininila , Masawarag, Muladbucad, Nasisi, Mabinit, Matanag. Basud and Bulawan Canals in Albay Province.

For Pinatubo, the agency said significant PDC deposits from the 1991 eruption remain in the watershed and may be confined to river channels. But it could become muddy flows in the Sto. Tomas-Marella and Bucao River systems and even flooding in the lower and adjacent communities of San Marcelino, San Narciso, San Felipe and Botolan in the province of Zambales.

Mudflows may also be generated along the O’Donnel and Pasig-Portero river systems, draining the Pinatubo edifice to the north and southeast, which may affect downstream communities in the provinces of Tarlac and Pampanga.

Phivolcs also issued mudflow, mudflow and volcanic debris flows warnings around Taal Volcano to Agoncillo, Laurel and Talisay in Batangas province.