The number of casualties from the recent storms and the intensified southwest monsoon or “habagat” has climbed to 30, the Office of Civil Defense said Saturday.
Of the 30 fatalities, 13 were confirmed to be caused by the rains brought by typhoons ‘Crising,’ ‘Dante,’ ‘Emong’ and the ‘habagat,’ while the others are still up for validation.
The National Capital Region recorded the highest number with nine deaths, while Western Visayas followed with six deaths.
Seven others are missing, while 10 were injured, the OCD said.
In total, 5.9 million individuals, or 1.6 million families, were affected by the onslaught across 6,401 barangays in the country.
As of Saturday, 190,000 individuals, or 53,000 families, are still seeking refuge in evacuation centers.
As this developed, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited yesterday flood-hit Navotas to inspect the damaged Tangos-Tanza Navigational Gate and check on families displaced by recent severe flooding.
The President assessed the 30-year-old flood control structure, which has been under repair following significant damage.
The Tangos-Tanza (Malabon-Navotas) Navigational Gate serves as a critical barrier against high tide and flooding along the Navotas River.
The structure’s failure has contributed to extensive flooding across Navotas and neighboring Malabon, prompting both local governments to declare a state of calamity.
Mr. Marcos also visited Tanza National High School, which is currently being used as a temporary evacuation center.
According to local officials, 162 families, or 538 individuals, are taking shelter at the school.
Both public and private sectors have mobilized large-scale relief operations to assist thousands of displaced families across Luzon.
Maynilad Water Services Inc. ramped up its humanitarian response across its West Zone service areas, deploying water tankers, mobile hygiene facilities, and distributing over 8,000 bottles of drinking water to evacuation centers in Quezon City, Manila, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Caloocan, Bacoor, Imus, and Muntinlupa.
“Maynilad remains in close coordination with local and national agencies to ensure timely support for affected families. We are committed to helping our customers recover from this calamity,” said Maynilad Head of Corporate Affairs and Communication Marie Antonette De Ocampo.
Meanwhile, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), in partnership with local government units and private sector allies, extended aid to more than 4,000 families across Central Luzon.
The agency focused on vulnerable communities near BCDA-managed estates in Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, and Bataan, areas walloped by prolonged rains and severe flooding.
Aid also reached Bamban, San Jose, and the upland Aeta community of Sta. Juliana.
“These efforts reflect our enduring commitment to support our partner communities, especially in times of crisis,” said BCDA President and CEO Joshua Bingcang.
