Manila, Aug. 14 -- Malacanang on Friday ordered the shift to appropriate alternative work arrangements in government offices and learning modes for public and private schools in Metro Manila and 12 provinces amid persistent rains associated with the southwest monsoon.

Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 126, signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, by authority of the President, covers Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, and Occidental Mindoro.

The directive was made following the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in view of the heavy rainfall warnings issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Ser...