Region 3 Remains on Alert vs. Habagat

City Of San Fernando, Pampanga — The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council-3 on Monday sustained the alert level for possible flooding in some low-lying and flood prone areas in Central Luzon as monsoon rains continue to affect most parts of the region.

Josefina Timoteo, chairperson of the RDRRMC and regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 3, said all members of the disaster councils have been ordered to continuously monitor the weather situation and undertake disaster response activities, particularly in the provinces of Zambales and Bataan.

Both provinces were placed under yellow rainfall warning by state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

PAGASA said light to moderate rains will affect on Monday the provinces of Tarlac, Pampanga and Bulacan.

“We are advising residents situated in low lying and identified flood-prone areas to regularly monitor the weather situation in their areas and to take precautionary measures as southwest monsoon and low pressure area (LPA) continue to bring rains,” Timoteo said.

The monsoon rains triggered flashfloods in some areas in the region over the weekend, affecting some 6,447 families or 26,631 persons in 76 barangays in Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Zambales.

The RDRRMC also reported that some 4,187 families or 17,403 persons sought temporary shelter in 41 evacuation centers in the region.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development-3 has, so far provided assistance worth PHP1,421,560 to the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Pampanga, and Zambales.

Meanwhile, class suspensions on Monday were declared in most parts of the region to ensure the safety of residents. (PNA) JMC/ZST