Tacloban city: Some local government units in Eastern Visayas suspended classes on Monday as Tropical Depression Verbena dumped heavy rains in the region. Class suspension directives prompted thousands of students to return home after heading to school early Monday morning. Some schools even held indoor flag-raising ceremonies before the announcements of local authorities.

According to Philippines News Agency, in Tacloban City, Vice Mayor Raymund Romualdez posted on his official Facebook page that public elementary and high school classes are suspended. The city and several areas in the region are under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1. An orange rainfall warning was also raised in Leyte Island due to the weather disturbance. The orange rainfall advisory is raised in areas where rainfall is between 15mm and 30mm in an hour.

Romualdez emphasized, 'The class suspension is a precautionary measure. Government offices will continue normal operations. Let's stay alert, follow official advisories, and take this time to prepare.' Class suspensions were also declared by local government units of Palo, Alangalang, Carigara, Burauen, Abuyog, Palompon, Baybay City, Ormoc City, and Villaba in Leyte province; and Sogod and Pintuyan in Southern Leyte.

In Biliran province, class suspensions have been ordered by the local governments of Naval, Maripipi, Almeria, Kawayan, Culaba, Biliran, and Cabucgayan. The same directives were issued in the towns of Daram and Motiong in Samar province. In some areas without class suspension orders from local government officials, students have been asked to return home by school officials for their safety.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau said the center of Verbena was estimated at 205 kilometers east-southeast of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte. In Eastern Visayas, placed under TCWS No. 1 are Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.