The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Monday reported that more than 1.4 million individuals or 426,000 families were preemptively evacuated across several regions as heavy rains and strong winds battered parts of Luzon and the Visayas.
Citing data from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), OCD Deputy Administrator for Administration Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said the evacuations were carried out in the National Capital Region (NCR), Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Negros Island Region, as well as in Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas regions.
A total of 6,000 evacuation centers have been established, currently sheltering 318,000 individuals or 92,000 families.
At least two fatalities have been confirmed, one from Viga, Catanduanes, due to drowning, and another from Catbalogan, Samar, after being struck by a collapsed structure. Two individuals were reported injured.
The OCD is conducting ongoing damage and needs assessments. Initial reports show 1,085 damaged houses, with 89 totally destroyed and 996 partially damaged.
Meanwhile, authorities logged 132 flooded barangays, storm surges in several coastal communities, and multiple landslide incidents.
In Aurora province, the municipalities of Casiguran, Dipaculao, Dinalungan, and Dilasag were reported to be isolated due to landslides.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been directed to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) for immediate clearing operations.
Gov’t responses
The national government has mobilized P2.6 billion worth of standby funds and stockpiles from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and OCD, ready to support LGUs’ response operations.
So far, P6.4 million worth of food items have been distributed to affected areas, with 4,776 family food packs delivered to CALABARZON, Bicol Region, Negros Island Region, and Caraga.
For infrastructure response, 165 DPWH personnel and 10 pieces of heavy equipment have been deployed across NCR, Regions I, II, III, V, and VIII to conduct road clearing and debris removal. At least 15 road networks remain closed and are prioritized for restoration.
A total of 894 search, rescue, and retrieval teams from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Coast Guard, and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) have been deployed, with 190 assets in operation. An additional 3,497 teams and 7,308 assets remain on standby.
The Department of Health (DOH) has released P156 million worth of logistics and an additional P10 million in supplies to support regional health facilities.
Power outages were reported in 155 local government units (LGUs), with 15 already restored. Water supply interruptions affected 13 LGUs, with 2 restored as of the latest update.
Communication lines have been reinforced, with 33 ICT equipment units, including Starlink and satellite phones, deployed, and 973 communication devices on standby.
Despite the storm’s exit from land, authorities warn that heavy rains may still bring flooding and landslides, particularly in Central and Northern Luzon and the NCR.
Alejandro noted that the government’s inter-agency rescue, relief, and clearing operations are ongoing, with "all necessary logistics by land, air, and sea ready to assist affected communities."