More than 5.2 million people across 5,833 barangays have been impacted by the combined effects of tropical cyclones “Crising,” “Dante,” “Emong,” and the intensified southwest monsoon, locally known as Habagat, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Saturday.
Authorities reported 30 fatalities, 10 injuries, and 7 missing, with at least 13 deaths officially attributed to severe flooding. Among the confirmed causes were electrocution in Bulacan and drowning incidents in Camiguin and Surigao del Norte.
In response to the widespread devastation, over 57,000 families were evacuated to nearly 2,000 temporary shelters.
A state of calamity was likewise declared in 154 cities and municipalities, including province-wide declarations, allowing for faster mobilization of resources and emergency funds.
Central Luzon is currently the hardest-hit area, with over 2.4 million individuals affected, primarily due to Emong and intensified monsoon rains.
Despite several government facilities suffering damage—including OCD regional offices—response operations remain uninterrupted. With many key roads rendered impassable, authorities are resorting to air transport to deliver relief goods to isolated communities.
Sites under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) are on standby to support logistics operations.
Government relief assistance has exceeded P291 million, comprising food packs, drinking water, shelter materials, and hygiene kits. The United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) is also expected to bolster relief efforts by providing logistics support and potentially deploying air assets.
Power outages continue to affect many regions, with ongoing restoration efforts coordinated between the Department of Energy (DOE) and local utilities.
A whole-of-government response is being led by Defense Secretary Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., who also chairs the NDRRMC. Inter-agency meetings are being held regularly to ensure tight coordination and rapid delivery of aid and essential services.
