278,000 affected by monsoon rains

MANILA, Philippines — At least 278,00 people have been affected by flooding and rains brought by the southwest monsoon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 68,000 families in 684 barangays in Ilocos, the Cordilleras, Central Luzon,  Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas were affected.

The NDRRMC said 83,000 people have been displaced, of whom 27,393 remain in evacuation centers.

Four persons died and six others were injured due to the southwest monsoon, which was enhanced by Typhoon Fabian that started last week.

At least 1,182 houses were damaged.

The NDRRMC said more than P5 million worth of assistance has been distributed to affected families.

The NDRRMC said it received reports yesterday that 18 barangays  in Balanga City and Dinalupihan in Bataan were inundated.

In Pampanga, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported yesterday that 96 villages remained flooded.

PDRRMC chief Angie Blanco said 25 barangays in Masantol, 24 in Macabebe,  15 in Lubao, one in Mexico, six in Apalit, eight in Guagua, four each in Bacolor and Minalin, seven in Sto. Tomas and five in San Simon were affected. 

Blanco said 347 families or 1,288 people took shelter in 30 evacuation centers in Masantol and Sto. Tomas.  

Classes and work in government offices in San Luis were suspended yesterday amid heavy rains.

A state of calamity was declared in Masantol on Monday due to widespread flooding –  Ric Sapnu