Classes and work in government schools and offices in Metro Manila and some provinces in Luzon and Visayas were suspended due to Severe Tropical Storm ''Opong'' is expected to hit at least three regions after making landfall over the area of Northern Samar early Friday.

''Opong'' is also forecast to make landfall in the Bicol Region before crossing Southern Luzon, which could also affect Metro Manila.

The Palace issued Memorandum Circular 102 suspending government work and classes "at all levels in Metro Manila, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Masbate, Romblon, and Sorsogon" as heavy rain are expected on Friday.

MC 102 stated that classes at all levels in Aklan, Albay, Antique, Batangas, Bataan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Cavite, Catanduanes, Guimaras, Iloilo, Laguna, Leyte, Marinduque, Negros Occidental, Oriental Mindoro, Rizal, and Quezon are also suspended.

“However, agencies responsible for basic, vital, and health services, preparedness, and response duties must continue to remain operational to ensure continuity of essential government functions,” the memorandum read.

The circular added that the suspension of work in private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads.

''Opong'', which has maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph, was last spotted at 195 km east northeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar or 225 km east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

''Opong'' is expected to make landfall over Northern Samar or the northern portion of Eastern Samar early Friday was moving westward at the speed of 15 kph.

"Opong may reach typhoon category before making landfall. It will then weaken as it crosses the archipelago, although it will likely remain as a typhoon or severe tropical storm during the passage," the state weather bureau said.

After its landfall, Opong is expected to move towards Bicol Region, where it is likely to make another landfall in the vicinity of Sorsogon on Friday morning.

"Throughout tomorrow, Opong will move generally west northwestward near or over Sibuyan Sea and traverse the mainland and/or island provinces of Bicol Region, southern CALABARZON, and northern MIMAROPA, before emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Saturday morning," it stated.

It also noted that "re-intensification is highly likely once Opong emerges over the West Philippine Sea."

Tropical cyclone wind signal number 3 was raised over the areas of Sorsogon and the northern portion of Masbate (Uson, Dimasalang, City of Masbate, Mobo, Palanas, Baleno, Aroroy) including Ticao and Burias Islands in Luzon and Northern Samar, the northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Arteche, Jipapad, Oras, Dolores, Maslog, Can-Avid), and the northern portion of Samar (Matuguinao, Calbayog City, San Jose de Buan) in Visayas.

Signal number two was also declared in the eastern portion of Batangas (Padre Garcia, Ibaan, Rosario, Taysan, Lobo, San Juan, Batangas City), the southern portion of Quezon (Pitogo, San Andres, Buenavista, Lucena City, San Francisco, Calauag, Pagbilao, Tiaong, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Guinayangan, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, San Antonio, Alabat, Candelaria, Lucban, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Sariaya, City of Tayabas, Macalelon, Mauban, Dolores, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, San Narciso, Tagkawayan), Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Catanduanes, the rest of Masbate, Marinduque, Romblon, and Oriental Mindoro in Luzon as well as in the central portion of Eastern Samar (Taft, Sulat, San Julian, City of Borongan, Maydolong), the central portion of Samar (San Jorge, San Sebastian, Villareal, Zumarraga, Pinabacdao, Almagro, Talalora, Jiabong, Pagsanghan, City of Catbalogan, Motiong, Santo Nino, Tagapul-An, Tarangnan, Calbiga, Daram, Paranas, Hinabangan, Santa Margarita, Gandara), Biliran, and the northwestern portion of Leyte (Calubian) in Visayas.

More areas were placed under signal number 1 in Luzon including Metro Manila together with other areas in Visayas and three Islands in Mindanao. Robina Asido/DMS