Let's help our friends affected by the recent rains and flooding in Manila, let's pray for our country!

With schools, financial markets, and public and private offices ordered shut, including BPO firms whose clients are mainly from the United States and Europe. Disaster officials even said that over half of Manila was submerged by floods as high as three meters, worsened by a high tide and the release of water from dams in surrounding provinces that force nearly 270,000 people to flee their homes. According to PAGASA, there is no tropical cyclone existing within the Philippine Area of Responsibility and the downpour is due to the southwest monsoon. Let's help and support our friends affected by the recent rains and flooding in Manila! Let's pray for the Philippines!

Update: Statement of Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda: On the resumption of work today, August 8, 2012.
Update: Suspension for August 8, 2012 (as of 10:30 p.m.)
Update: Here's the updated list of Smart Libreng Tawag Stations in Metro Manila and nearby areas as of 9:00 pm.
- H. Bautista Elementary School Bgy. Tumana, Markina
- Malanday Barangay Hall, Malanday, Marikina
- Sta. Ana Covered Court, San Mateo, Rizal
- Sto. Domingo Church, Quezon City
- Tunasan Covered Court, Muntinlupa
- Cavite Coliseum
Arrangements are currently being made for more Libreng Tawag centers in severely affected areas in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.

Statement: The Presidential Spokesperson on the resumption of work today, August 8, 2012

On the basis of the best available information at the present time, and the recommendation and the forecast of PAGASA, the Office of the President will not issue a Memorandum Circular suspending work for government or the private sector today, August 8. The public is therefore advised that work in national government offices and the private sector resumes today. The declarations of some national agencies, such as the Commission on Audit, suspending work today, and announcements made by local governments concerning the suspension of work and classes in their jurisdictions, however, remain in force.

Occasional intense rainfall has been observed from 8 p.m. last night to 1 a.m. today, but it is projected to lessen within the day. Even as the situation remains of concern for so many citizens affected by the rain and flooding, it is imperative that we begin returning to normalcy as soon as possible. This requires government workers to report to their offices to continue, and accelerate, efforts at rescue, relief, and rehabilitation. The private sector, too, needs to return to work. Goods and services must resume so as to speed up the repair of damaged infrastructure, the circulation of goods and supplies throughout the metropolitan area and other affected regions.

As we emerge from this emergency, let us bear in mind the many thousands of our countrymen who will continue to need our assistance and support. We call on our fellow citizens to continue to demonstrate the empathy, sympathy, cooperation, and can-do attitude that have served us so well during this emergency. Continue to remain vigilant, and aware of alerts and advisories from the authorities, concerning the weather.

List of suspension announcements for August 8, 2012

NCR

• Classes in all levels: Navotas, Marikina, Caloocan, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Taguig, Valenzuela, San Juan, Manila, Makati, Quezon City, Pasay, and Pasig.
• Government offices (except for emergency and relief operations): Valenzuela; Commission on Audit (NCR); Intellectual Property Office.

Provinces

• Classes in all levels: Cavite, Pampanga, Rodriguez (Rizal), Cainta (Rizal), Binangonan (Rizal), Batangas, Bataan, Paombong (Bulacan), San Jose del Monte (Bulacan), Olongapo City (Zambales), and Laguna.
• Classes grade school to high school: Tarlac.
• Government offices (except for emergency and relief operations): Commission on Audit (Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal)

Schools

Donations

- To donate through Red Cross:
Text RED <10 500="500" or="or"> to 4143 (SMART) or 2899 (GLOBE).
- Through Globe GCash:
Text DONATE MPIN SLB to 2882 (e.g. DONATE 100 1234 SLB) Globe has waived transaction fees for this.
- Smart subscribers may donate to The Baha Fund through Smart Money Acct. No. 5577 5130 6822 1104.
- If you’re living outside the Philippines, don’t fret. You can also help by sending your donations online via Red Cross and Gawad Kalinga.

Emergency Loads

Emergency Hotlines

National Disaster and Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) hotlines
(02) 911-1406, (02) 912-2665, (02) 912-5668
Philippine National Police (PNP) Hotline Patrol
117 or send TXT PNP to 2920
Bureau of Fire Protection (NCR)
(02) 729-5166, (02) 410-6254, (02) 431-8859, (02) 407-1230 
Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) hotline
7890 or 0918-8848484
Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Metrobase hotline
136
MMDA Flood Control
882-4177, 882-0925
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)
(02) 304-3713
Red Cross hotline
143, (02) 911-1876
North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) hotlines
(02) 3-5000 and (02) 580-8910
Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) hotlines
(0920) 96-SCTEX (72839)
Skyway System Hotline
(02) 776-7777, 0915-6256231, 0939-5006910 
South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) hotline
0908-8807539
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hotline
(02) 433-8526
Philippine Coast Guard
(02) 527-3877, (02) 527-8481, 0917-724-3682, 0917-PCG-DOTC
Local government units (partial)
Manila Traffic Hotline – 527-3087
Cainta Traffic Hotline – 646-0044, 655-7368 loc. 164
Las Piñas Traffic – 874-5756, 874-3957, 874-3927
Mandaluyong Hotline – 534-2993
Taguig Traffic – 838-4301 loc. 7112
Marikina STOC – 646-1651
Pasig Traffic – 643-0000, 724-5813
Makati Public Safety Dept – 844-3146, 819-3270

News and Updates

For Twitter users, here are the accounts to follow:

• @dost_pagasa – DOST PAG-ASA
• @nababaha – Project Noah
• @ndrrmc_opcen – National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
• @mmda – Metro Manila Development Authority
• @philredcross – Philippine Red Cross
• @govph – Official Gazette of PH
• @meralco – MERALCO (Power/Electricity)

Or use/browse these official hashtags:

• #ReliefPH – for relief operations
• #RescuePH – for rescue concerns
• #FloodPH – for general flood news

Flood Safety Tips

BEFORE THE FLOOD: Find out how often your location is likely to be flooded. Know the flood warning system in your community and be sure your family knows it. Keep informed of daily weather condition. Designate an evacuation area for the family and livestock. Assign family members instructions and responsibilities according to an evacuation plan. Keep a stock of food which requires little cooking and refrigeration; electric power may be interrupted. Keep a transistorized radio and flashlight with spare batteries, emergency cooking equipment, candies, matches and first aid kit handy in case of emergency. Store supplies and other household effects above expected flood water level. Securely anchor weak dwellings and items.

WHEN WARNED OF FLOOD: Watch for rapidly rising flood waters. Listen to your radio for emergency instructions. If you find it necessary to evacuate, move to a safe area before access is cut off by flood waters. Store drinking water in containers, water service may be interrupted. Move household belongings to upper levels. Get livestock to higher ground. Turn off electricity at the main switch in the building before evacuating and also lock your house.

DURING THE FLOOD: Avoid areas subject to sudden flooding. Do not attempt to cross rivers of flowing streams where water is above the knee. Beware of water-covered roads and bridges. Avoid unnecessary exposure to the elements. Do not go swimming or boating in swollen rivers. Eat only well-cooked food. Protect leftovers against contamination. Drink clean or preferably boiled water ONLY.

AFTER THE FLOOD: Re-enter the dwellings with caution using flashlights, not lanterns or torchers. Flammables may be inside. Be alert for fire hazards like broken wires. Do not eat food and drink water until they have been checked for flood water contamination. Report broken utility lines (electricity, water, gas and telephone) to appropriate agencies authorities. Do not turn on the main switch or use appliances and other equipment until they have been checked by a competent electrician. Consult health authorities for immunization requirements. Do not go in disaster areas. Your presence might hamper rescue and other emergency operations.

Hazards on Flooded City's Streets 

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