(Eagle News) — Malacañang Sunday urged the public on Sunday to be alert and safe amid flooding in the country brought about by the southwest monsoon, and advised those in evacuation centers to remain there until floods have subsided.
“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.
He said it would be best for those living in flooded areas to remain in evacuation centers prepared by local government units, as he announced that there were almost a thousand areas in various parts of the country which had experienced flooding.
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.
He said that all concerned government agencies are coordinating to address concerns of residents affected by the rains and floods.
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.
Classes in all levels have been suspended in most areas of Metro Manila, Rizal, and other parts of Luzon because of the continuing monsoon rains.
(with a PNA report)