PCG evacuates 17 persons in Zambales amid floods due to Habagat

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Saturday evacuated 17 persons in Barangay Lipay, Santa Cruz, Zambales, due to floods caused by the continuous rainfall brought by the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).

The Coast Guard Sub-Station (CGSS) Sta. Cruz conducted the evacuation at around 8 a.m.

Of the total evacuees, eight belonged to one family, composed of four adults and four children.

PCG said its Deployable Response Group remains on standby for any emergencies.

Meanwhile, the Santa Cruz Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office continues to coordinate with coastal barangays and other concerned agencies amid the inclement weather.

Based on PAGASA’s heavy rainfall advisory issued at 10:45 a.m., Zambales is among the seven areas under a red rainfall warning, where serious flooding is possible in flood-prone areas.

The state weather bureau also said the Habagat will continue to bring monsoon rains over parts of Luzon and the Visayas on Sunday.

Six people died, and four have been rescued after a motorbanca carrying 13 members of the Aeta community capsized in Lake Mapanuepe in San Marcelino, Zambales on Thursday.

On Saturday, two more bodies were recovered, with both remains identified by their respective fathers. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA News