NCR under state of calamity; 14 dead, 45 schools damaged

Relentless rain drenched Metro Manila and parts of Luzon yesterday, triggering floods and deadly landslides as Typhoon “Carina” reached Super Typhoon category and intensified the southwest monsoon or “habagat.”

The densely populated capital was placed under a state of calamity as rescuers were deployed to help evacuate people from low-lying homes after downpours turned streets into rivers.

Landslides killed a pregnant woman and three children in Batangas province; and a woman and her five-year-old child in Pampanga province.

That takes the death toll from heavy rains over swaths of the country in the past two weeks to at least 14, as tens of thousands sheltered in evacuation centers.

Three major roads were blocked by landslides in the mountainous Benguet province.

Some 45 public schools also sustained damage, disrupting preparations for the school opening on July 29, with damages so far at P308.5 million.

The state of calamity in Metro Manila will allow local governments to access additional funds for calamity response and impose a price freeze on basic goods.

“The price freeze, effective immediately, aims to protect consumers from unjust price increases during this time of crisis. We are committed to ensuring that basic goods remain affordable and accessible to all affected residents,” said Trade Secretary Fred Pascual.

The price control covers a wide range of essential commodities, including rice, corn, bread, fresh vegetables, root crops, pork, beef, poultry, eggs, milk, coffee, sugar, cooking oil, salt, laundry soap, detergent, firewood, charcoal, candles, and essential medicines as classified by the Department of Health.

In Quezon City, Mayor Joy Belmonte reported 22,000 evacuees being supported in 154 evacuation centers.

Mayor John Ray Tiangco, on the other hand, said that 80 percent of Navotas was submerged in floodwater.

Government offices were shut and classes suspended, more than 100 domestic and international flights were cancelled, and tens of thousands of customers lost power because of the weather.

Some shopping malls and churches offered temporary shelter to people affected.

Malacañang also announced the suspension of government work and classes today (Thursday, July 25, 2024) at all levels in Regions III, IV-A and the National Capital Region.

Agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue with their operations and render the necessary services, the Palace said.

The Palace also left the suspension of work for private companies and offices to the discretion of their respective heads.

“Carina,” which has swept past the Philippines as it heads towards Taiwan, intensified the southwest monsoon rains typical for this time of year, the state weather forecaster said.

“Usually the peak of the rainy season is July and August and it so happens that there is a typhoon in the eastern waters of the Philippines that enhances the southwest monsoon,” senior weather specialist Glaiza Escullar said.

About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the Philippines or its surrounding waters each year, damaging homes and infrastructure and killing dozens of people. With AFP, Pot Chavez and Butch Gunio