Eight dead, over 230,000 affected by adverse weather in PH — OCD

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is now verifying reports that eight people died from the combined effects of tropical depressions Luis and Maymay as well as the southwest monsoon (habagat).

The torrential rains that have been battering a large part of the country for the past few days have, to date, affected around 223,000 families.

In a message to reporters, OCD public information officer Diego Mariano said two of the deaths are from Benguet and reportedly caused by a landslide, while three fatalities are from Rizal, two of whom are caused by a rockslide and one allegedly caused by a falling tree; and another three from Batangas, reportedly caused by drowning, electrocution, and landslide.

There are nine injuries as of this time, and Mariano said seven of these were reported in Benguet, one in Rizal, and another in Cavite.

Also, there are reports of a missing person in Batangas.

Affected populations were estimated at around 223,000 families and these is equivalent to 752,000 persons residing in Region 1 (Ilocos Region), Region 2 (Cagayan Valley), Region 3 (Central Luzon), Region 5 (Bicol Region), Region 6 (Western Visayas), Region 9 (Zamboanga Peninsula), Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon (Region 4A) and Mimaropa (Region 4B).

As of this posting, there are about 412 evacuation centers activated and 10,000 families or 34,400 persons being sheltered.

Damaged houses are estimated to be around 300, of which 276 are classified as "partially damaged" and 24 as "totally damaged".

Mariano said agriculture damage was estimated at around PHP3.53 million while those for infrastructure was placed at PHP1.12 billion. No specific details were given.

-Philippine News Agency