UNDER WATER. This portion of Apalit-Macabebe-Masantol Road in Barangay San Gabriel in Macabebe, Pampanga is still not passable to all types of vehicles due to flood as of 12 noon Sunday (July 30, 2023), the Department of Public Works and Highways reported. Due to massive flooding brought by the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Egay, some areas in Central Luzon were placed under a state of calamity. (Photo courtesy of DPWH Region 3)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – Some local government units (LGUs) in Central Luzon are under a state of calamity due to the massive floods caused by the southwest monsoon and Typhoon Egay during the past few days.
Sto. Tomas is the latest LGU in this province to be placed under such a state following a special session of the municipal board on Sunday morning.
On Saturday, the LGUs of Macabebe, San Simon and Masantol were likewise placed under a state of calamity, citing the severe flooding in the communities that displaced some residents and the damage to agriculture and fisheries.
Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia likewise announced Saturday night that the entire province is under a state of calamity due to floods in low-lying areas and the considerable volume of agricultural crops destroyed.
“Ang tuloy-tuloy na pag-ulan nito nakaraaan araw ang naging sanhi ng pagbaha, pinsala sa mga ari-arian, kabahayan, at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan mula sa mga bayan ng Dinalupihan, Morong, Bagac, Samal at Limay (The continuous rains in the past days caused flooding and damage to properties, houses at livelihood of our provincemates from the towns of Dinalupihan, Morong, Bagac, Samal and Limay),” Garcia said.
In a report of the Bataan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), damage to agriculture such as palay, corn and high-value crops, as well as fisheries, was initially estimated at PHP22.38 million.
Likewise, the Bataan PDRRMO reported that 639 families or 2,357 individuals are temporarily staying in evacuation centers.
In Bulacan province, Pulilan, Paombong, Calumpit towns are likewise under a state of calamity due to massive destruction in agriculture brought on by continuous moderate to heavy rains the past days.
Governor Daniel Fernando said a province-wide state of calamity will be declared on Monday as per the recommendation of the PDRRMO headed by Col. Manuel Lukban (ret.).
Damage to agriculture in Bulacan was initially placed at PHP12.2 million.
Some 3,727 families or 14,407 individuals were displaced and brought to various evacuation sites.
A declaration of a state of calamity would allow the use of the calamity fund to aid affected residents and would also freeze prices of basic commodities in the affected areas.
As of noontime Sunday, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 3 reported that some roads are still impassable to light and heavy vehicles due to floods.
In Pampanga, some portions of Apalit-Macabebe-Masantol Road, Bahay Pare-San Luis-Sto. Domingo Road,and Candaba-San Miguel Road are not passable to all types of vehicles.
The Sto. Tomas-Minalin Road in the tail dike section and the Macabebe section is passable only to heavy vehicles.
In Zambales, the Yamot Bridge detour road is likewise not passable to all types of vehicles. (PNA)
