By Aaron Recuenco
MANILA — The combined impact of tropical cyclones “Luis” and “Maymay” along with the southwest monsoon (habagat) has left at least 26 people dead and caused nearly ₱3 billion in damages to infrastructure and agriculture, according to government reports as of Thursday, August 13.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed the death toll, most of them due to landslides, including 16 fatalities in Baguio City.
Seven deaths were reported in Batangas and Rizal, while one each was recorded in Pangasinan and La Union.
A policeman also drowned in Negros Island Region while attempting to rescue colleagues.
Two people remain missing in Calabarzon, while 15 others were injured.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported ₱2.65 billion worth of damage to bridges and road networks, while agricultural losses reached ₱347 million.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) also recorded 1,336 partially damaged houses and 103 totally destroyed, mostly due to flooding.
More than 15,000 families, or 53,570 individuals, remain in evacuation centers across 10 regions.
Overall, 3.7 million people from 1.087 million families have been affected by the heavy rains.
The national government has so far provided ₱458 million in assistance packages to displaced residents.
Meanwhile, PAGASA warned that habagat rains will continue to affect Luzon and parts of Western Visayas, with moderate to heavy downpours expected in Zambales and Bataan, raising further risks of flooding and landslides.
