MANILA, Oct. 18 (Xinhua) -- A teenager was killed and four others were injured when they were hit by a falling tree in Quezon City, Metro Manila as typhoon Koppu continued to batter northern Philippines, a senior government official said on Sunday.
National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) executive director Eduardo Pama said the 14-year-old male was so far the only fatality they had recorded.
Malacanang, the presidential palace, also announced the suspension of government work on Monday in Regions 1, 2, 3, and the Cordillera Administrative Region due to the effects of the typhoon.
But the government personnel involved in the delivery of basic and health services, disaster and emergency response as well as other vital services are excluded from suspension, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said.
The suspension was based on the recommendation of NDRRMC, he added.
Several local government units in Metro Manila and nearby areas also declared suspension of classes on Monday.
The state weather forecasting agency said that as of 5:00 p.m., Koppu packed maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour and gusts of 185 kph.
