President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has convened several government officials to discuss providing immediate aid to victims of the heavy rainfall and flooding in Visayas and Mindanao, Press Undersecretary Cheloy Garafil told reporters Tuesday.

"President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is in Malacañang monitoring and holding meetings with several officials over various issues, including giving immediate assistance to those affected by the shear line rainfall and flooding in the Visayas and Mindanao regions," Garafil said in a message.

As of Tuesday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has reported 13 fatalities — seven from Northern Mindanao, three from Bicol, two from Eastern Visayas, and one from Zamboanga.

The NDRRMC said at least 48 areas across the country remain submerged due to rains triggered by a shear line—a narrow corridor along which there is an abrupt change in the horizontal component of the wind.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Sunday commenced its relief operations in villages affected by flooding.

The DSWD said around 5,487 families or 69,323 individuals in 98 villages were hit by the massive flooding in the Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Caraga as of 26 December.

Meanwhile, 9,409 affected families or 45,813 residents were in 34 evacuation centers in Caraga and Northern Mindanao.

3 die in Bicol

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol reported on Tuesday that three individuals died while eight others went missing in the region due to the effect of the shear line during the last few days.

Authorities disclosed that two of the fatalities drowned in Camarines Sur while the other one was among the nine fishermen who were reported missing in Catanduanes.

The victims were identified as Zakiya Rae Mariano, 1 year old, who drowned after falling into a flooded part near their house; Nelson Dela Cruz, 64, who also drowned while trying to cross a swollen river; and ArnelAraojo, 43, the missing fisherman from Virac, Catanduanes.

OCD-5 spokesperson Gremil Alexis Naz said that Coast Guard stations in Bicol are on red alert for any possible survivors or cadavers among the other missing fishers.

"Search and rescue operations were ongoing for eight missing fishermen. They were identified as Noel Zafe, Dante David, Domingo Borilla and Jason Mandasoc, all from Virac town; and Ringo Tupig, WilliyUchi, JoebertTeano and Juanito Estrella Jr., all from Viga town," Naz said in an interview.

4 fishermen dead in Samar

Four fishermen have been confirmed dead and at least 10 others remain missing in Eastern and Northern Samar as bad weather caused by monsoon rains continued to prevail in Eastern Visayas.

The latest report from the regional office of the Office of Civil Defense shows that as of 4 p.m. on 26 December, two fishermen from Northern Samar died due to drowning. They were identified as Pablo Cerbito, 43, and Jimmy Adante, 47.

In a later update, the OCD also confirmed the deaths of two other fishermen — Roy Tosing Roy, 40, and Jonathan Ponce, 37.

OCD-8 also reported 10 fishermen still missing – five from Palapag, one from San Roque, and one from Laoang, all in Northern Samar and one from Quinapondan and two from Sulat in Eastern Samar.

OVP distributes relief packs

Families affected by heavy flooding in Zamboanga City received food packs and other essentials from the Office of the Vice President.

The relief boxes distributed to flood-affected residents contained essentials such as water, sanitary items, sleeping mats, blankets, mosquito nets, and face masks.

Families from Barangays Putik, Cabuluay, Culianan, Pasolobong and Boalan received the relief packages from the OVP on Sunday. But due to heavy rain, the distribution of relief boxes in Barangay Tumaga was conducted Monday morning.

Meanwhile, more than 400 residents have sought shelter in eight evacuation centers in different barangays.

WITH REPORTS FROM ELMER RECUERDO AND PNA