Six fatalities linked to the combined effects of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay are currently under validation, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported on Saturday.
OCD Deputy Administrator Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV confirmed during a DZBB radio interview that authorities are verifying two deaths each in Rodriguez, Rizal; Benguet; and La Union, along with seven reported injuries in Benguet.
Landslides triggered by heavy rains led to two deaths at an eatery in La Trinidad, Benguet, on August 6, while a August 5 rockslide in Rodriguez, Rizal, claimed two lives.
”Tuloy-tuloy pa rin nating nararanasan ang Southwest Monsoon lalo na sa norte, sa Ilocos Sur, La Union, Abra, Benguet and parts of Region 3, even hanggang Mindoro,” Alejandro stated. “As of this morning, mayroon na tayong 74,800 families or 261,000 persons na apektado sa weather system na ito.”
The weather systems have affected roughly 261,000 individuals, forcing around 2,500 families into 83 evacuation centers, while 2,200 others receive aid outside shelters.
Relief operations and monitoring remain active, particularly for communities near river tributaries in Pangasinan due to mountain runoff from the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
”Nagbibigay tulong tayo in terms of making sure na ma-evacuate ‘yung mga nasa river tributaries (sa Pangasinan) dahil tuloy-tuloy ang pagbaba ng tubig galing sa mga bundok sa CAR… Tuloy-tuloy pa ang pag-uulan. Hindi tayo titigil sa pagbibigay ng ayuda doon at pagmo-monitor,” Alejandro said.
Flooding has impacted 63 areas across Regions 1, 3, and Calabarzon, leaving several roads impassable and prompting travel warnings for northern destinations.
”‘Yung mga may balak na pumunta ng Baguio at Cordillera, hindi pa advisable na umakyat kasi may mga landslide at rockslide sa Benguet,” Alejandro warned. “‘Yung in terms of damage naman, 120 houses ang reported na damage sa Region 1, CAR at Region 3.”
Infrastructure impacts also include 120 damaged houses and 13 seaports suspending trips across Regions 1, 3, 5, and Mimaropa. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has extended financial assistance to affected families.
PAGASA reported that while Luis dissipated on August 4 and Maymay weakened into a low-pressure area on August 7, the Southwest Monsoon will continue bringing rains to Luzon and Visayas into next week.