The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Wednesday said the damage to infrastructure across the country has reached an estimated P4 billion due to the combined effects of Tropical Cyclone Crising, the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), and a low-pressure area (LPA).
In a virtual press briefing, OCD officer-in-charge Assistant Secretary Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the reported figure is still subject to validation by the concerned agencies.
Alejandro added that agricultural losses have already reached P217.5 million, as corn, rice, and other high-value crops were severely impacted by the tropical cyclone.
Nearly 1.9 million individuals, or 533,213 families, have been affected by the adverse weather conditions. Of these, around 25,000 families remain in evacuation centers, while another 21,000 families are staying in temporary shelters.
Tropical Depression Crising formed inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on July 16 and intensified into a severe tropical storm before leaving the PAR on July 19. Despite Crising’s exit, the Southwest Monsoon continued to bring heavy rains in several areas.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported 12 fatalities linked to Crising and Habagat, with Calabarzon recording the highest number of deaths at five. Negros Island Region reported three deaths, while Metro Manila, Mimaropa, Northern Mindanao, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) each reported one fatality.
The victims mostly died from drowning or injuries caused by falling trees.
Additionally, nine people remain missing, and seven others were reported injured.
The PNP’s casualty figures are currently being validated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).