Sept. 21 ‘national day of protest’

President Rodrigo Duterte suspended work and classes in the government sector on September 21 to make way for the National Day of Protest.

“President Rodrigo Duterte has declared September 21 as a National Day of Protest and in effect has announced the suspension of classes and work in government offices,” Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said.

Duterte said the suspension of classes and work in the government sector on September 21 aims to avoid inconvenience to the public.

The third quarter nationwide simultaneous earthquake drill (NSED) scheduled for Thursday, September 21, has also been postponed.

“Since most of the Regional DRRM Councils have selected government offices and schools as its pilot

area, the national council deemed it necessary to conduct the 3rd quarter NSED to a later date. This is to ensure maximum participation to the earthquake drill,” added Lorenzana.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has yet to determine the new schedule of the NSED.

The drill is being conducted quarterly as one of the tools to promote disaster preparedness and resilience among communities.

Earlier, militant groups criticized the scheduling of the NSED which will coincide with the commemoration of the declaration of the martial law 45 years ago where rally protests will be conducted.

Former Bayan Muna partylist representative Teddy Casino said the conduct of the picket is to denounce the killings in the Duterte administrations deadly war on drugs. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/ SunStar Philippines)