OCD verifying reports of 19 dead from storms, 'habagat' across PH

MANILA – The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) is verifying reports that 19 people died in the aftermath of Tropical Depressions Luis and Maymay and the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” and that about 2.2 million persons have been affected by the series of weather disturbances.

In a message to reporters on Tuesday, OCD public information officer Diego Mariano said 12 of the reported deaths being verified are in Benguet, four in Rizal, and three in Batangas.

The OCD also reported 15 persons injured – 12 in Benguet, and one each in Ilocos Sur, Rizal, and Cavite.

Mariano said four persons remain missing, three in Benguet and one in Batangas.

Affected families were placed at 646,676 families, consisting of 2,270,862 persons, residing in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Calabarzon, the Cordillera Region, the National Capital Region, and Mimaropa.

An estimated 919 evacuation centers are sheltering about 26,174 families, consisting of 94,997 individuals.

Houses damaged by the inclement weather were placed at 639, and those destroyed at 45.

Meanwhile, damage to infrastructure was estimated at PHP1.46 million, and to agriculture at PHP135.33 million.

-Priam Nepomuceno/Philippine News Agency