As in previous storms, “Maring” has brought out the resiliency and “bayanihan spirit” of Filipinos. INQUIRER.net put together scenes from the calamity and of the courage shown by those who braved the floods to save others as captured by the Associated Press on Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013. NOY MORCOSO III
MANILA, Philippines–The number of persons affected by the storm-enhanced southwest monsoon which swamped a big chunk of Luzon including Metro Manila has reached one million, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
In a report released Wednesday, NDRRMC said the total number of affected population increased to 223,991 families or 1,060,094 persons in 35 cities from the regions of Ilocos, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Cordillera and the National Capital Region.
Of these, a total of 29,021 families or 132,969 persons are housed in 425 different shelters in Luzon.
The government, meanwhile, has also allotted about P8 million worth of relief assistance, the NDRRMC said.
Damages were also pegged at P66 million so far, with 88 roads still impassable due to floods.
Fatalities remained at eight, while four were still missing.
Only two dams had left their gates open, Ambuklao and Binga, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administraton said.
Placed under state of calamity were the provinces of Bataan, Cavite, and Laguna; the cities of San Fernando in Pampanga, Parañaque and Muntinlupa; the municipalities of Narvacan in Ilocos Sur; Masantol, Macabebe, Minalin and Guagua in Pampanga; San Mateo and Taytay in Rizal; Pateros; and the villages of Victoria and Lagnas in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro.
Many flights were also grounded due to bad weather, and also shut down government offices and cancelled classes for two consecutive days.
Tropical storm ”Maring” (international name Trami), the 13th cyclone to hit the country this year, was reported to have exited the Philippines Wednesday morning headed for Taiwan.
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