By FRANCIS T. WAKEFIELD
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said yesterday that 400,000 families have been affected by flooding due to the southwest monsoon or “habagat” enhanced by tropical cyclones “Henry,” “Inday,” and “Josie.”
Undersecretary Ricardo B. Jalad, executive director of the NDRRMC and administrator of the Office of Civil Defense, said latest figures showed that 381,757 families or 1,677,790 persons were affected in 1,479 barangays in Regions 1 (Ilocos), 3 (Central Luzon), Region 4-A (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), Region 4-B (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan), VI (Western Visayas), Cordillera Autonomous Region, and the National Capital Region.
Jalad said 153,390 families or 639,179 persons are being served inside and outside evacuation centers.
Sixteen areas – two provinces, 12 cities and municipalities, and two barangays – in Regions 1, 3, 4-A, and CAR were declared under a state of calamity.
One-hundred two road sections and eight bridges were affected in Regions 1, 3, 4-A, 4-B, 6, and CAR, of which 74 road sections and four bridges are now passable.
Seven-hundred twenty-four areas experienced flooding in Regions 1, 3, 4-A, 4-B, CAR, and NCR, of which floodwaters in 392 areas have subsided.
Jalad said 313 houses were damaged – 61 totally and 252 partially – in Regions 1, 3, 4-A, 6, and CAR.
He said P47,469,252.72 in assistance was provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, and local government units to the affected families in Regions 1, 3, 4-A, 4-B, VI, NCR, and CAR.
The NDRRMC has recorded 81 landslides, strong winds, soil erosion and coastal erosion, collapsed structure, and maritime incidents in Regions 1,3, 4-A, 4-B, 6, and CAR.
