The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council yesterday reported that five people died due to floods and landslides caused by heavy rains from the southwest monsoon or “hanging habagat” in Luzon and Visayas.
Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad, NDRRMC executive director and administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, identified four of the victims as Benedicto Brasileño, 68, of Barangay Canauillian, Janiuay, Ilolio; Arjhelyn Jhoyce, 15, and her 14-year-old sister Mary Hope Viriña, both of Sta. Cruz, Manila, and Archie Contado, 27, of 7th St., Barangay Mariana, New Manila, Quezon City.
Jalad said Brasileño drowned while crossing the Malbug River in Janiuay last August 10.
The Viriñas were killed by a wall that collapsed on Oroquieta St., Sta. Cruz, Manila Saturday while Contado was also killed by a wall that collapsed on 7th St., Barangay Mariana Saturday.
A fifth victim was recovered at the Nagtahan Pumping Station in Manila Friday.
The NDRRMC said that the five victims are still subject for validation by the Department of Health.
One person, John Harry Parco Ocera, 38, of Robinson Homes East, Antipolo City, Rizal, was injured by falling rocks that hit his legs on Ortigas Ave., Extension, Barangay Dolores, Taytay, Rizal, Friday.
One person, Ruben Pahilagmo, 57, of Barangay Bognuyan Gasan, Marinduque, was reported missing after he went fishing last August 8.
The NDRRMC said that 15,665 families or 70,266 persons were affected by rains and floods in Regions 3, 4-A, 6, Negros Island Region, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and National Capital Region.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said the southwest monsoon will continue to affect Luzon and Western Visayas today.
Monsoon rains will be experienced over Metro Manila, Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Tarlac, Bataan, Zambales, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.
Occasional rains will prevail over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental.
Cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and thunderstorms will be experienced over the rest of Luzon and Visayas, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms is expected over Mindanao.
The rains have increased water levels in Angat and Ipo Dams in in Luzon while La Mesa’s remains stable, PAGASA noted. PAGASA reminded the people to be wary as the rains can cause flashfloods and landslides. (Francis Wakefield and Ellalyn B. de Vera)