Malacañang Urges Public to Remain Alert, Safe Amid Floods

Malacañang on Sunday urged the public to be alert and safe amid flooding in the country brought about by the southwest monsoon.

“Pinapaalalahanan po namin ang publiko na manatiling alerto at ligtas (We are reminding the public to stay alert and safe),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press statement.

Roque urged Filipinos living in flooded areas to remain in evacuation centers prepared by local government units.

He also assured that all concerned government agencies are coordinating to address concerns of residents affected by the rains and floods.

Citing data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Roque said as of 6 a.m. Sunday, 961 areas have experienced flooding in different regions in the country.

These include Ilocos region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Northern Mindanao, CAR, and NCR. Of which, floodwaters in 762 areas have already subsided, Roque said.

Roque noted that as of Aug. 11, 6 a.m. Saturday, a total of PHP120 million worth of assistance was provided by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Department of Health (DOH), LGUs, NGOs, and other organizations to the affected families.

Roque, meanwhile, thanked all concerned government agencies, private sector, and volunteers for their relief assistance.

“Ngayon pa lamang ay nagpapasalamat na kami sa iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan, sa private sector at volunteers sa kanilang patuloy na pagbibigay ng tulong sa ating mga kababayan (As early as now, we are thankful to all government agencies, the private sector and volunteers for their assistance to our citizens),” Roque said.

As of 6 p.m. Sunday, the weather bureau said intense rain will threaten flood-prone areas in Rizal.

PAGASA said heavy rains may also cause flooding in prone areas in Metro Manila, Cavite, Pampanga, Bulacan, southern Zambales, Bataan, Laguna, and Northern Quezon.

Meanwhile, light to moderate with occasional heavy rains will be affecting Batangas, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and the rest of Quezon and of Zambales which may persist within three hours. (PNA)