Death toll from Luis, Maymay, Habagat climbs to 26 —PNP

The reported deaths from incidents linked to Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat have climbed to 26, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

In a statement, the PNP reported that 25 civilians and one police officer died in weather-related incidents as of Tuesday afternoon.

As communities begin recovering from the effects of the weather disturbances, the PNP said it was shifting its focus from emergency response to post-disaster recovery.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered police units in affected areas to maintain heightened visibility and coordinate closely with local governments as communities work to restore normal activities.

“Our responsibility does not end with search and rescue operations. We will remain engaged in the recovery phase by maintaining security, supporting relief efforts, and helping communities recover from the effects of the disaster,” he said.

The PNP said its personnel would continue to assist local governments in the safe return of evacuees and the restoration of essential services.

Police units were also tasked to maintain peace and order and security in affected communities while relief and recovery operations continue.

“The PNP will continue to work closely with local governments and other agencies to restore peace and order, secure affected communities, assist in relief and recovery operations, and ensure that our people can safely return to their homes,” Nartatez said.

OCD

Meanwhile, data from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) showed the reported death toll from the combined effects of the weather disturbances was 21.

In its report as of 6 a.m. on Wednesday, the OCD said 15 of the fatalities were recorded in Benguet, three in Rizal, and three in Batangas.

In Benguet, 10 deaths were reported in Baguio City, three in Atok, and two in La Trinidad, all due to landslides.

In Rizal, two people died due to a landslide in Rodriguez, while one died after being hit by a fallen tree in Antipolo.

In Batangas, one person died due to drowning in Batangas City, one due to electrocution in Lipa, and one due to a landslide in Santa Teresita.

One person remains missing in Batangas, according to the OCD.

The OCD also reported 14 injured persons.

The combined effects of Luis, Maymay, and Habagat have affected 3,148,255 people or 909,133 families in the following regions:

• Ilocos Region
• Cagayan Valley
• Central Luzon
• Bicol
• Western Visayas
• Zamboanga Peninsula
• CALABARZON
• Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR)
• Metro Manila
• MIMAROPA

Of the affected population, 80,442 people or 22,893 families are staying in 881 evacuation centers.

The bad weather damaged 972 houses, 904 partially and 68 totally.

Infrastructure damage reached P2,109,761,681, while agricultural damage was estimated at P196,851,447.

The government has so far provided P342,103,574 worth of assistance to affected communities, according to the OCD.—AOL, GMA News