By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
As the enhanced habagat (southwest monsoon) continues to drench Metro Manila and various other provinces in the country, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. continues to keep a close watch on the government’s response to those affected by the inclement weather.
This, as the President presided over a situation briefing with key officials such as Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon, and other Cabinet executives.
During the briefing, latest updates about the situation in communities inundated by floods and devastated by landslides were discussed with the Chief Executive amid intense rainfall brought about by the habagat.
Other weather-related conditions associated with Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon were also discussed during the closed-door meeting, with concerned agencies outlining the interventions that were put in place to respond to this phenomenon.
As of press time, all agencies are engaged in a whole-of-government approach to ensure that Filipinos are able to cope with the effects of the heavy rainfall on their daily living and their respective livelihoods.
Earlier, Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular No. 123 allowing the implementation of work-from-home arrangements in government offices and alternative learning modes in public and private schools in Metro Manila and 15 provinces on August 10, 2026, amid continued heavy rainfall brought by the southwest monsoon.
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