CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Monsoon rains triggered by tropical depression Maring has claimed six lives in Central Luzon, with two others still missing, as reports yesterday indicated that flooding has affected 177,099 families or 838,327 persons in the region.
An updated report from the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) here said 489 barangays remained flooded in Central Luzon, including 258 in Pampanga, 166 in Bulacan, 34 in Bataan, 20 in Zambales, and 11 in Tarlac.
The RDRRMC also reported to more deaths related to the flooding. The victims were identified as Roman Sanchez, 29, who was electrocuted while retrieving items from his flooded home in Sta. Maria, Lubao, Pampanga, and Lodigario Plasilo, 53, who drowned in Barangay Kaingin in Meycauayan, Bulacan.
Two missing persons were also reported in flooded areas. They were identified as Rodrigo Telles, 69, of Barangay General Luna in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija and Michael Silverio, 21, of Purok 5, Floridablanca, Pampanga.
Earlier, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) here also reported drowning fatalities. They were identified as Jeric Sorgello, 3, of Alas-as, Mariveles, Bataan;, Renato Roman, 64, of Sta. Cruz, Lubao, Pampanga;, Juan Charles Centeno, 11 months old, of Canalate, Malolos City in Bulacan; and one-year-old Justin Viray of Sta. Lucia, Minalin, Pampanga.
The RDRRMC reported that as of yesterday, the gates of the Angat and Pantabangan dams remained closed as their water levels were still below spilling levels. But two gates at the Ipo and Bustos dams continued to release water. These dams affect flooding in Pampanga and Bulacan.
A total of 166 evacuation centers were established in Central Luzon since the monsoon rains started over the weekend, he RDRRMC said. A total of 61 centers were in Pampanga, 41 in Bulacan, 29 in Bataan and three in Tarlac.
The regional council also said that as of yesterday, a total of P15,960,636 worth of assistance has been extended to the flooding victims, including P5 million from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), P6.1 million from provincial governments, P4.5 million from local governments, and P214,753 from the Department of Health.
As of yesterday, classes at all levels, both in government and private schools, remained suspended in Malolos, Meycauayan, Balagtas, Bulakan, Baliuag, Pulilan, Marilao, Hagonoy, Calumpit and San Rafael in Bulacan.
All levels in schools in Bataan also had not classes, while in Pampanga, classes up to the high school level remained suspended yesterday.
The RDRRMC also reported that strong currents and erosion totally damaged 79 houses in the region, mostly in Angeles City, and partially damaged 198 more.
