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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider OCD: 430 areas hit by flooding; habagat death toll rises to 26

OCD: 430 areas hit by flooding; habagat death toll rises to 26

Published Aug 18, 2026 03:56 pm

At A Glance

  • The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said the death toll due to habagat rises to 26 as flooding hit 430 areas across 10 regions, affecting more than 5.14 million people.
  • Central Luzon recorded the most flooded areas with 404, while weather-related damage reaches P3.1 billion in infrastructure and P1.4 billion in agriculture.
  • The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Belgium strengthened marine protection ties as they explore cooperation on pollution prevention, environmental monitoring, ecosystem restoration and maritime security amid garbage problems worsened by recent habagat rains.
People wade through floodwaters along Taft Ave. in Manila on August 17, 2026 following heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon or “habagat.” Several roads in Metro Manila were reported flooded on Monday, disrupting transportation and leaving commuters stranded. (Mark Balmores/Manila Bulletin)
People wade through floodwaters along Taft Ave. in Manila on August 17, 2026 following heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon or “habagat.” Several roads in Metro Manila were reported flooded on Monday, disrupting transportation and leaving commuters stranded. (Mark Balmores/Manila Bulletin)
The death toll from the combined effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) and tropical cyclones “Luis” and “Maymay” has climbed to 26 as flooding spread to 430 areas amid recent rains, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
The OCD said that 5,146,748 individuals or 1,468,226 families in 10 regions have been affected by the weather disturbances.
The latest report covered Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Ilocos (Region 1), Cagayan Valley (Region 2), Central Luzon (Region 3), National Capital Region (NCR), Calabarzon (Region 4A), Mimaropa (Region 4B), Bicol (Region 5), Western Visayas (Region 6), and Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9).
Central Luzon accounted for most of the flooded areas, with 404 reported cases. Another 15 areas were flooded in Ilocos Region and 11 in Calabarzon.
The OCD has yet to consolidate the number of flooded areas in NCR, where many roads were submerged in floodwaters due to heavy rains on Monday.
The latest figures also showed that Benguet still recorded the highest number of fatalities at 15, all of which were due to landslides. It was followed by Batangas and Rizal with three deaths apiece; Caloocan with two; and La Union, Quezon Province, and Negros Occidental with one each.
At least 17 people were also injured while one individual was missing in Batangas City.
Infrastructure losses were estimated at P3.105 billion while agricultural damage reached P1.423 billion.
The weather disturbances have also damaged a total of 1,989 houses.
The government and other responders have so far provided P760.11 million worth of assistance to affected communities.
PCG, Belgium deepen cooperation on marine protection amid garbage woes
Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) sought stronger collaboration with Belgium in marine environmental protection as the country grapples with mounting garbage problems brought by recent habagat rains.
Belgian Ambassador Vladislava Iordanova visited the PCG National Headquarters in Manila on Monday, August 17, where she and Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan discussed joint efforts in pollution prevention, environmental monitoring, and ecosystem restoration.
Gavan emphasized that the partnership with Belgium would help the PCG strengthen its capacity to address these challenges.
“The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of the PCG and Belgium to advancing maritime cooperation in environmental protection, safety, and capacity building,” PCG spokesperson Commodore Noemie Cayabyab said on Tuesday, Aug. 18.
Belgium’s track record in waste management and recycling has been recognized globally, with the country achieving one of the highest recycling rates in Europe.
The Belgian envoy highlighted this background during the talks as both sides examined how Belgian expertise could support Philippine efforts to reduce marine pollution and protect underwater critical infrastructure.
Gavan and Iordanova also discussed possible cooperation between Manila and Brussels on the enhancement of the country’s maritime security, maritime surveillance, information sharing, maritime domain awareness, and cooperation in addressing emerging maritime security challenges.
“Both sides likewise explored opportunities for capacity-building programs, postgraduate studies, and maritime simulation technologies to enhance the professional competence and operational readiness of PCG personnel,” Cayabayab noted.
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