Central Luzon Floods Impact Over 4.24 Million, Causing Widespread Damage

Central Luzon, Philippines — Widespread flooding and other weather-related incidents have affected more than 4.24 million people in Central Luzon, with 582 incidents recorded as of September 3, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Central Luzon reported. OCD-Central Luzon Officer-in-Charge Shelby A. Ruiz said flooding hit 542 barangays in Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac and Zambales, while 40 other incidents included landslides, soil erosion, mud and rock flows, fallen trees and collapsed infrastructure. Fourteen barangays, mostly in Zambales, remained isolated after flooding and strong currents damaged bridges and cut off access. At least 653 evacuation centers are now sheltering 51,531 people, while another 94,897 are staying outside evacuation centers. Five deaths were confirmed — two each in Zambales and Pampanga, and one in Olongapo City. The storms and flooding also damaged 1,211 houses, including 163 totally destroyed, while agricultural losses reached P1.88 billion, affecting 33,762 farmers and fisherfolk. Infrastructure and irrigation damage were estimated at P2.01 billion, based on validated reports. The figure was revised downward from the earlier P3.52-billion estimate following data validation, Ms. Ruiz said. At least 2,070 classrooms sustained minor damage; 757 major damage and 941 were totally damaged. Travel and basic services were also disrupted, with 85 roads and 10 bridges rendered impassable, nine power interruptions in Pampanga, and three water interruptions in Bulacan and Pampanga. A total of 89 local government units (LGU) declared a state of calamity, while 11 LGUs suspended classes and 25 shifted to alternative learning modalities. — Artemio A. Dumlao