2 persons drown in CamSur

MANILA, Philippines - Two persons drowned after they were carried away by floodwaters unleashed by the southwest monsoon in Camarines Sur last Sunday, disaster management officials said.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the victims were swept by floodwaters while crossing the Bugsukan River at about 8 a.m. last Sunday.

The fatalities were identified as Ludiche Remudes, 35, and Jessa Mae Remudes, eight. Their bodies were recovered at 11 a.m.

The weather disturbance also displaced 418 persons or 84 families in Central Luzon and MIMAROPA regions.

Of the 418 displaced, 350 were from Occidental Mindoro while 68 others were from Bulacan. The evacuees were moved to chapels, barangay halls and residential houses.

Damage to property has reached P1.88 million, of which P1.3 million accounted for houses, flood control systems and irrigation systems destroyed in Occidental Mindoro.

The amount of damaged crops and vegetables in the same province totaled P4.5 million. The remaining P132,000 represented damaged fish cages.

Continuous rain also caused floods in Meycauayan, Malolos, Obando, Marilao, Calumpit, Pulilan and Guiginto all in Bulacan, Bombon, Camarines Sur, San Juan and Valenzuela in Metro Manila and Paluan, Occidental Mindoro.

The southwest monsoon also prompted some local governments to suspend classes yesterday.

In Meycauayan, clases were suspended in Meycauayan East Elementary School, Bangkal Elementary School, Saluysoy Elementary School and Calvario Elementary School.

Classes in elementary and high school were also suspended in Malabon, Valenzuela, Bulacan and Bataan.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said classes were suspended in the cities of Meycauayan, Malolos, and the coastal towns of Obando and Hagonoy.

The Bulacan State University (BulSU), the most populated university in Central Luzon, also suspended classes.

Liz Mungcal, PDRRMO head, said classes in elementary schools located in Barangays Bancal, Calvario, Saluysoy, Longos, Bayugo, Hulo, Gasak, Zamora, Poblacion, Liputan and Ubihan in Meycauayan City were suspended as early as 4 a.m. yesterday.

The NDRRMC Operations Center remains on red alert and is continuously monitoring the situation in affected areas.

Local disaster management officials are now providing assistance to affected residents.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said more rain is expected over most parts of Luzon and the Visayas later this week due to southwest monsoon and a low pressure area spotted off Mindanao.

PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said the low pressure area is expected to intensify into a tropical cyclone by Thursday or Friday but it is unlikely to hit land. - With Helen Flores, Dino Balabo, Charlie Lagasca, Ric Sapnu