ANOTHER low pressure area (LPA) developed into a tropical depression and was given the name “Emong,” bringing to two the number of tropical cyclones inside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR).
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) placed seven areas under wind Signal No. 1 due to Emong.
These are Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, northern and western portions of Pangasinan, Apayao, Abra, and Benguet.
PAGASA said Emong will make landfall in Ilocos Sur, La Union, or Pangasinan tonight or early Friday.
“Emong is forecast to continuously intensify and may reach severe tropical storm category before making landfall on Friday,” PAGASA also said.
The three provinces where Emong is forecast to make landfall are among 36 areas covered by a class suspension order issued by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
In Memorandum Circular 91, Bersamin said due to continuing heavy rains and floods in many areas, classes today in all levels in Metro Manila and 35 provinces are suspended.
The other provinces are Ilocos Sur, Abra, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Cagayan, Kalinga, Nueva Vizcaya, Zambales, Apayao, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bataan, Bulacan, and Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Antique, and Iloilo.
An LPA outside the PAR is being monitored by PAGASA. It was some 2,285 km east of Eastern Samar as of 10 a.m. yesterday and is expected to intensify into a tropical storm but will not enter the PAR, said PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja.
Emong first intensified into a tropical depression yesterday morning and then to a tropical storm in the afternoon. It is the country’s fifth tropical cyclone for this year and the third since last week.
The other tropical cyclone inside the PAR, “Dante,” intensified into a tropical storm yesterday morning. Dante developed into a tropical depression last Tuesday.
As of 4 p.m. yesterday, Emong was some 150 km west of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte. It was moving southwestward at 20 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
“Emong is forecast to move generally southwestward tonight (Wednesday night) before looping over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow (Thursday) morning through afternoon due to its interaction with tropical storm Dante,” PAGASA said.
It said Emong will then move generally northeastward while accelerating. On Friday afternoon, Emong will emerge in the Luzon Strait “after crossing the mountainous terrain of northern Luzon.”
Emong is expected to cause light to heavy rains in some areas in northern Luzon until Saturday.
Many other areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila, are also expected to experience light to heavy rains in the next several days due to the southwest monsoon.
Meanwhile, Dante will remain far from the landmass and is not directly affecting any part of the country. As of 4 p.m. yesterday, it was some 835 km east northeast of extreme northern Luzon, and moving north northwestward at 25 kph.
“Dante may slightly intensify over the next 12 hours. Further intensification into a severe tropical storm remains less likely but is not ruled out,” PAGASA said.
It forecast to exit the PAR this afternoon or tonight.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in a briefing with the Philippine media delegation included in his official visit to the United States, said he has been monitoring developments in the country since he left last Sunday.
“We spent most of the morning going through this to try and make sure – the response of our teams looks good,” the President said in mixed English and Filipino.
Marcos said concerned agencies were able to evacuate affected people and provide relief goods where it was necessary.
“And so, we are just hoping for it – for the floods to subside, the rain to lessen, and the floods to subside so that we can start again the cleanup process,” he added.
Bersamin, in the memo, said for government employees, heads of agencies in the affected regions and provinces will determine if they would need to physically go to work or adopt an alternate work arrangement.
He said employees from government agencies that are responsible for basic, vital and health services, preparedness and response duties must also continue to remain operational to ensure continuity of essential government functions.
“Non-vital government employees of subject agencies and all other government employees in the same areas are not required to physically report to work. However, where practicable and as determined by the respective heads of agencies, the said government employees shall be on alternate work arrangement, subject to applicable laws, rules and regulations,” he added.
Bersamin said local chief executives in other regions not listed in the memorandum may declare suspension of work or classes in their respective jurisdictions, depending on local conditions, while work in private companies and offices will be at the discretion of their respective managements.
TOLL
The PNP reported 12 fatalities due to the combined effects of tropical cyclone “Crising” and the southwest monsoon, five more than what was reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Police said five died in Calabarzon and three in Negros Island Region, all due to drowning.
Mimaropa, Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and Metro Manila (National Capital Region) had one death each.
The PNP said nine are missing (five in NCR, three in Western Visayas, and one in Calabarzon) and seven were injured (five in Zamboanga Peninsula and two in Cordillera Administrative region.
A situational report from the NDRRMC showed only seven fatalities — three in Northern Mindanao and one each in Mimaropa, Davao, Caraga and NCR.
It listed eight missing (three each in NCR and Calabarzon and two in Western Visayas) and seven injured (three in Soccsksargen, two in Northern Mindanao and one each in Ilocos and NCR).
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the number of people affected by the combined effects of tropical cyclone “Crising” and the southwest monsoon has increased to close to 1.9 million or about 533,200 families.
OCD officer-in-charge Bernardo Rafaelito IV said some 25,000 families are in 732 evacuation centers and 21,000 other families are also displaced but staying outside evacuation centers.
Alejandro, who is also the acting executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), said the government has enough funds to address the needs of those affected.
The NDRRMC has said the weather systems have affected people in 17 out of the country’s 18 regions, mainly by rains and flooding.
Alejandro said the NCR, Central Luzon and Calabarzon are among the areas severely hit by the calamity.
He said the rains have triggered landslides in some areas in northern Luzon, including Baguio City.
FLOODS
A situational report from the NDRRMC said 294 areas in six regions remain flooded as of yesterday.
These are in Central Luzon (172), Ilocos (765), NCR (23), Negros Island Region (14), Calabarzon (seven) and Western Visayas (two).
the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, In an advisory, said several roads remained flooded as of noon yesterday. Among them are Taft UN Ave., Taft Avenue Pedro Gil intersection, Roxas Blvd Kalaw Service Road, in Manila; EDSA Magallanes Pasong Tamo tunnel in Makati City; and EDSA Shaw in Mandaluyong City.
The NDRRMC said 29 cities and municipalities are now under a state of calamity.
The local government units include the Quezon City and Malabon City which declared the state of calamity last Tuesday, the NDRRMC said.
Cavite — composed of 23 cities and municipalities — declared a province-wide state of calamity also on Tuesday.
The others under the calamity state are Umingan, Pangasinan (Tuesday); Roxas, Palawan (Monday); Sebaste (Monday) and Barbaza (Tuesday), both in Antique. The NDDRMC said.
Officials of Marikina City and Cainta, Rizal declared a state of calamity yesterday.
The declaration will expedite the release of disaster funds, among others.
In Marikina, 12 low-lying barangays were severely impacted by floods.
As of July 22, nearly 4,800 families s have been displaced, requiring urgent evacuation, shelter, and relief support.
Pasig City reported over 3,600 families or (about 12,000 individuals) from 14 barangays staying in 26 evacuation centers as of yesterday.
Mayor Vico Sotto said the city government is providing the affected residents hot meals and other supplies.
Greenhills Mall (GH) in San Juan City said its grounds will be used as temporary shelter, and its parking areas will remain open for anyone needing a safe space for their vehicle. Overnight parking fees will be waived, it added.
San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora inspected evacuation centers, distributed food and necessities to evacuees.
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) assured the public it is prepared to provide healthcare coverage to those who will be ill.
“If you are afflicted with dengue or leptospirosis despite taking precautions, immediately go to the nearest PhilHealth-accredited health facility for treatment,” said PhilHealth president and chief executive officer Dr. Edwin Mercado.
“Don’t worry because PhilHealth will cover a large portion of your treatment costs,” he added.
For moderate and severe dengue cases, PhilHealth’s benefit packages stand at P19,500 and P47,000, respectively. For leptospirosis, it is pegged at P21,450.
Local airlines cancelled 65 flights as of noon yesterday.
Passengers were advised to check directly with their airlines for real-time updates, rebooking options, or refund procedures. – With Jocelyn Reyes, Ashzel Hachero, Christian Oineza, Gerard Naval, and Myla Iglesias
