22 dead, millions affected as Luis, Maymay, Habagat wreak havoc

AT least 22 people have lost their lives due to the combined effects of Tropical Storms Luis and Maymay and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed in its latest situational report released on Saturday.

The province of Benguet recorded the highest number of fatalities at 15, including the 10 victims who perished in the devastating landslide that struck Baguio City. Additional deaths were also reported in the provinces of La Union, Rizal, and Batangas as heavy rains triggered flash floods, landslides, and widespread hazards across Luzon and neighboring regions.

Three individuals remain unaccounted for and are listed as missing: one from Alaminos, Pangasinan; another from Batangas City, Batangas; and a third from Candelaria, Quezon. The scale of the disaster is vast, with approximately 4.8 million people affected across the country. As of the latest assessment, 44,700 individuals — or 14,600 families — continue to stay in evacuation centers, relying on government support for their basic needs.

Thousands of homes have been damaged by the severe weather, with 1,600 houses partially damaged and 178 completely destroyed. Economic losses are mounting fast: infrastructure damage is estimated at ₱3.3 billion, while the agricultural sector has suffered ₱689.7 million in losses. In response, the national government has already deployed more than ₱592.5 million in relief assistance to affected communities, even as authorities continue to assess the full extent of the damage and rush aid to the hardest-hit areas.