Monsoon rains drench parts of Luzon

Monsoon rains flooded parts of Luzon, which is still reeling from the effects of Typhoon Egay, according to reports on ''24 Oras Weekend'' on Saturday.

Fourteen towns in Bulacan remain flooded due to heavy rain in the past few days, JP Soriano said in his report. Preemptive evacuations have been implemented in Guiguinto town, but many residents refused to leave the community even though floodwaters had already entered their homes.

Navigating through chest-deep or higher flood levels was also a challenge for rescuers.

"Medyo silted na rin yung mga ilog natin, maybe because of the construction na ginawa natin diyan and likewise, dahil sa three days na rin saturated na din ang ating kalupaan," said Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Manuel Lukban.

Flooded roads were also reported in Balagtas and Bocaue towns.

In Olongapo City, more than 600 individuals from nine barangays were evacuated, Vonne Aquino said in her report. 

In Candaba, Pampanga, raging waters coming from an overflowing river reached neck level.

More than 300 families were taken to evacuation centers in Bataan due to flooding, according to Chino Gaston's report. 

Meanwhile, the water level at the Marikina River reached 16 meters, prompting local officials to raise the second alarm on Saturday night. 

The second alarm means residents must evacuate. If the water reaches 18 meters, a third alarm will be raised, and the local government unit will implement a forced evacuation.

Tropical Storm Falcon is enhancing the Southwest Monsoon, with occasional to monsoon rains expected over the western portions of Luzon and Visayas for the next three days, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

Currently, no storm signals have been raised due to Falcon.

Egay left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday.  — Jiselle Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News