Central Luzon, comprising seven provinces, has been the hardest-hit region following the recent onslaught of typhoons and monsoon rains, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Sunday.
According to the NDRRMC, nearly 2.5 million individuals—or close to 750,000 families—in Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales were affected by recent weather disturbances.
Of this number, 13,801 families (47,061 individuals) are currently housed in 527 evacuation centers, while another 11,899 families (39,560 individuals) are sheltering outside these facilities.
Floodwaters persist in 639 areas across the region. Meanwhile, 53 roads and four bridges remain impassable, severely hampering mobility and relief efforts.
In response, the Philippine Air Force (PAF), in coordination with the Office of Civil Defense and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Central Luzon, launched a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) mission on July 25.
Using an S-70i Black Hawk helicopter, the PAF surveyed damage in Pampanga, Bulacan, Bataan, and Tarlac—provinces heavily affected by Severe Tropical Storm Crising, Tropical Depression Dante, Typhoon Emong, and the intensified southwest monsoon.
As of Sunday morning, July 27, the NDRRMC confirmed 13 deaths caused by the weather disturbances: nine in Metro Manila, two in Central Luzon, one in Northern Mindanao, and one in Caraga. Five individuals were reported injured, while five remain missing. Other reported casualties are still being validated.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has forecast moderate rainfall (50–100 mm) to persist in Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro due to the southwest monsoon.
PAGASA also warned of possible localized flooding in urban and low-lying areas and potential landslides in hazard-prone locations. Severe Tropical Storm “Krosa,” which remains outside the Philippine area of responsibility, is expected to continue enhancing the monsoon rains.
Several local government units (LGUs) have suspended classes for Monday.
In Metro Manila, the Malabon City government suspended in-person classes from kindergarten to senior high school in public schools, including those under the Alternative Learning System (ALS).
Quezon City canceled all classes at every level in public and private schools to accommodate security and logistical preparations for the SONA at the Batasang Pambansa.
The Ilocos Region also reported widespread suspensions. In La Union, all face-to-face classes in both public and private schools were suspended, while college-level students shifted to asynchronous learning. In Pangasinan, class suspensions were declared in multiple areas:
- Lingayen: all levels, public and private
- Bani: face-to-face classes suspended from July 28 to August 1
- Anda: all levels suspended from July 28 to July 30
- Calasiao, Aguilar, and Mangaldan: all levels, public and private
Local government offices in Mangaldan and Lingayen will also be closed on Monday due to bad weather.
In Central Luzon, two Pampanga towns—Apalit and Masantol—suspended face-to-face classes in all levels, both public and private. In Calabarzon, Kawit, Cavite also canceled all classes in both public and private schools due to the continued heavy rains.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Central Luzon is worst-hit by recent storms—NDRRMC”
