TWENTY persons have died, 14 others remained missing, and nearly 600,000 individuals have been affected by tropical cyclones “Ferdie” and “Gener” and the southwest monsoon they enhanced in the past weeks.

Gener exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) yesterday. Tropical storm “Helen” entered the PAR on Tuesday night and exited at 6:50 p.m. yesterday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The weather agency said the southwest monsoon, enhanced by Helen, may still bring heavy to intense rains to Zambales and Bataan and moderate to heavy rains to Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa until today.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said nine of the deaths were in the Mimaropa region, four each in the Western Visayas region and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, two in the Zamboanga Peninsula region, and one in the Central Visayas region.

The NDRRMC said four deaths were caused by fallen trees in Malabang, Lanao del Sur on September 13, while a fifth drowned in Panglao, Bohol on September 12.

The agency did not provide details on the death of the 15 others.

The 20 deaths, along with the 14 missing and 11 others who were injured, are still subject to validation, the NDRRMC said.

A total of 156,524 persons or 597,870 individuals were affected by the weather systems in 1,178 barangays in 12 regions, led by Western Visayas (73,512 families or 256,593 individuals).

Of the number, 62,433 families or 269,355 individuals have been displaced. The number was, however, down to 25,514 families or 97,260 individuals as of yesterday.

The weather systems caused flooding in 136 areas in the affected regions. The NDRRMC said flooding in 64 of these areas has subsided.

The NDRRMC also said 930 houses in nine regions were damaged.

Tropical storm “Bebinca” entered the PAR last Friday and given the local name Ferdie.

It remained far from the landmass but enhanced the southwest monsoon that brought rains to many parts of the country. It exited the PAR last Saturday.

From a low pressure area, Gener intensified into a tropical depression last Monday morning. It made landfall Isabela on Monday night and crossed the landmass of northern Luzon.

On Gener, PAGASA said it exited the PAR at 2 a.m. yesterday.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, Gener was some 795 km west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur. It was moving northwestward at 50 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.

Helen (international name “Pulasan”) entered the PAR at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. In a bulletin issued at 5 p.m., PAGASA said Helen “is about to exit” the PAR.

Helen was some 930 km east northeast of extreme northern Luzon as of 4 p.m. yesterday. It was moving northwestward at 40 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 85 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph, PAGASA said.

Close to P445 million worth of assistance has been distributed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to families affected by storm “Enteng,” Ferdie, and Gener.

The DSWD said some P28.9 million worth of food packs and non-food relief items has already been provided to the 348, 572 families or 1.2 million persons affected by Ferdie and Gener in 1,608 barangays in 12 regions.

A total of 29,686 families or 118,616 persons were displaced, including the 18,090 families or 70,244 persons taking shelter in 580 evacuation centers and 11,596 families or 48,372 persons who are temporarily staying with relatives or friends.

Social Welfare Assistant Secretary and spokeswoman Irene Dumlao said DSWD continues to coordinate with local government units to determine what additional aid can be provided by the agency.

Dumlao also said the DSWD continues to provide aid to families displaced by continued seismic activities of Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island.

She said over P37.9 million worth of food and non-food relief items and cash assistance under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis (AICS) has been given to the affected families.

She said 17,279 families or 57,226 persons from 23 barangays in Western Visayas and Central Visayas have been affected including the 1041 families or 3,229 persons who are staying in 11 evacuation centers. – With Jocelyn Montemayor