Palace suspends gov’t work in Metro Manila due to quake

April 23, 2019

Malacañang suspended on Tuesday work in government offices in Metro Manila after a powerful earthquake struck the metropolis and nearby provinces.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea has issued a memorandum order suspending the government work in the National Capital Region as recommended by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

"Per Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea as recommended by the NDRRMC and in order to ease up the load of the public transport system, work in government in the National Capital Region is suspended on 23 April 2019," he said.

Panelo said President Rodrigo Duterte has directed governors of the affected provinces to assess damage sustained by their respective localities and take the necessary measures to ensure public safety.

Death toll in Pampanga due to magnitude 6.1 earthquake on Monday afternoon has increased to 11, news reports said.

Rescuers have been working double time to save a number of people who were buried when a building in Porac, Pampanga collapsed following the quake. Celerina Monte/DMS