Yung baha sa may C-5 Tiendesitas was caused by a GI roof sheet(?) that clogged a storm drain daw...

Amid threat of heavy rain, MMDA asks schools, offices to let students, workers off early
June 18, 2013 9:18am


Amid forecasts of heavy rain for this week, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority on Tuesday appealed to offices and schools to allow employees and students to go home early.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino suggested that the employees and students be allowed to report early but go home early as well, preferably before 5 p.m. when the rain hits.

"Sabi ng PAGASA hanggang weekend (ang malakas na ulan) kaya nakikiusap ako sa ating kawani, kung papayagan ng kanilang tanggapan, pauwiin nang maaga. Hanggang Biyernes ang malakas na pag-ulan," he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He was referring to PAGASA forecasters' indications that Tropical Depression Emong may enhance the southwest monsoon until Friday, although Emong may exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday.

On Tuesday morning, PAGASA forecaster Elvie Enriquez said Metro Manila can still expect rain but not as intense as Monday.

Heavy rain also hit Metro Manila last Thursday and Friday, causing floods in major thoroughfares and stranding many commuters.

"Kung pumasok nang maaga, kung maari pauwiin ng 4 p.m. Ang bagsak ng ulan 5 to 7 p.m. Ang iskwelahan kung maari, pauwiin nang maaga," Tolentino said.

Meanwhile, Tolentino said MMDA teams will be on alert again for possible heavy rain and flooding on Tuesday evening.

He said the MMDA's teams had found that in many flooded areas Monday night, the cause was traced to rocks, bottles and other objects clogging the drainage.

Tolentino said the flooding tended to slow traffic, though he declined to say if the clogging was deliberate. —KG, GMA News