Monsoon displaces more than 34,000 in Luzon

MANILA, Philippines - The southwest monsoon has affected more than 150,000 persons and has displaced more than 34,000 others, officials said Wednesday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 150,914 individuals or 33,976 families have been affected in Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Metro Manila.

Of this, 34,025 persons or 7,828 families have been displaced.

Majority of the displaced residents, 29,150 of them, are inside 140 evacuation centers. The remaining 4,875 persons or 1,009 families stayed with their relatives and friends.

The death toll from the southwest monsoon stood at 33 as of Wednesday.

All but one of the fatalities were from the Central Luzon region. The lone fatality from Calabarzon was identified as Nonilon Mercado, 29, who died of drowning in Taysan, Batangas.

Majority of the fatalities, 29 of them, were buried alive in separate landslides in Zambales, three died of drowning and one died of hypothermia.

NDRRMC said seven persons sustained injuries due to the southwest monsoon.

The amount of property damaged has been pegged at P23.55 million but this could rise as this only covered infrastructure in Castillejos and San Antonio in Zambales.

The heavy rains and floods also damaged 65 houses in Central Luzon and Calabarzon.

Floodings were reported in 79 areas in Central Luzon and Calabarzon.

NDRRMC said floods have subsided in Barangays Bulihan and Batuhan in Famy; Barangay Lecheria in Calamba and Barangay Bigaa in Cabuyao all in Laguna and parts of Bataan and Zambales.

The government and private groups have provided P1.77 million worth of assistance to affected residents.