Palace orders alternative work setup, learning in Metro Manila, 17 areas on Aug. 20

A man carries a bike as he walks along the edge of the sidewalk of a flooded street triggered by heavy monsoon rains in Manila on August 17, 2026.

AFP / Ted Aljibe

MANILA, Philippines — Government offices in Metro Manila and 17 provinces will shift to alternative work arrangements on Thursday, August 20, as the southwest monsoon or habagat continues to dump rain over parts of Luzon.

Malacañang announced the measure on Wednesday pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. 131, which was signed by Acting Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, 

The directive, posted on the Facebook page of the Presidential Communications Office, covers the following areas:

• National Capital Region
• Abra
• Benguet
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Pangasinan
• Bataan
• Bulacan
• Nueva Ecija
• Pampanga
• Tarlac
• Zambales
• Batangas
• Cavite
• Laguna
• Rizal
• Occidental Mindoro

Public and private schools in these areas will also shift to alternative learning modes and adopt learning continuity measures at all levels, unless their respective local chief executives issue different instructions.

Government agencies handling basic and health services, disaster preparedness and response and other essential services will remain operational, Malacañang said.

The Palace also clarified that Contract of Service and Job Order workers covered by the alternative work arrangements will still receive their corresponding wages or salaries, subject to existing rules and regulations.

For private companies, the decision to suspend work or adopt alternative work arrangements will be left to management.

The announcement came as PAGASA warned of continued heavy rainfall from the southwest monsoon, which is being enhanced by Tropical Depression Neneng.

From Wednesday to Thursday afternoon, rainfall of 100 to 200 millimeters is expected over Pangasinan, Zambales and Bataan.

Meanwhile, Metro Manila and 14 other areas could receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rain during the same period.

In its 5 p.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said that Neneng had slightly weakened on Wednesday afternoon as it moved west-northwestward over the sea east of central Taiwan.

No tropical cyclone wind signals are currently in effect, but the habagat is expected to bring strong to gale-force wind gusts over most of Luzon and Visayas, as well as parts of Mindanao.