SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union – This province has recorded P11 million in damage to agriculture due to the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), in its 5 p.m. situational report on Thursday, Aug. 6, said the damage reflects the impact of continuous rains and flooding on agricultural areas and damage assessment and validation are ongoing and estimated losses may still change as additional reports from affected local government units are received.

The PDRRMO reported eight flooding incidents in Bauang, Naguilian, and this city and 5,339 families, or 15,865 individuals, from 156 barangays in 14 municipalities were affected.

It said 865 families (2,491 individuals) are staying in 60 evacuation centers while 569 families (1,672 individuals) are temporarily staying outside evacuation centers.

There were 11 partially damaged houses in the City of San Fernando, Agoo, Bauang, Caba, and Naguilian as well as two totally damaged houses in Bauang and Naguilian.

Power outages affected 42 barangays although electricity has been restored in 33 of them.

The City of San Fernando, Bacnotan, Bangar, Aringay, Naguilian, and Rosario have provided P474,353 worth of assistance to affected residents.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in the Ilocos region (RDRRMC-1) maintained its red alert status as the southwest monsoon persists and Maymay exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The RDRRMC-1 has placed its Emergency Operations Center under red alert to ensure uninterrupted disaster response, with all response clusters operating 24/7.

Office of Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Operations and officer-in-charge of the Office of Civil Defense-Ilocos Assistant Secretary Laurence E. Mina said the southwest monsoon could become even stronger after Maymay leaves and bring prolonged rains that may trigger flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying and mountainous areas.

Mina urged local government units and residents to remain vigilant, monitor official weather advisories, and immediately heed evacuation orders when necessary.

Meanwhile, early evacuation, prepositioned relief supplies, and the activation of emergency response teams helped keep communities in Ilocos Sur safe from Maymay.

Gov. Jerry Singson said the province’s proactive response demonstrated the importance of disaster preparedness and coordinated government action in protecting lives and reducing the impact of natural hazards.

He urged residents, particularly those living in flood- and landslide-prone areas, to remain vigilant despite improving weather conditions.

As of 8 a.m. on Thursday, 261 individuals from 97 families in 11 barangays were preemptively evacuated to evacuation centers in Quirino, Santa, Sigay, Tagudin, and Vigan City.

The provincial government provided family food packs and hot meals to displaced residents.

An Emergency Operations Center was activated to coordinate response efforts among the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, Provincial Health Office, and other concerned agencies.

Initial assessments showed no reported damage to major roads, bridges, or agricultural areas.

However, temporary road obstructions rendered portions of roads in Quirino, Suyo, Gregorio del Pilar, and Candon City impassable. Local disaster councils have started clearing operations to restore access.

The province also experienced a power outage, although telecommunications services remained operational, enabling authorities to maintain coordination with local government units and issue weather advisories.

Singson reminded the public to continue observing safety precautions until authorities declare conditions safe.

“Stay home. It is not yet safe to go outside. Let the typhoon pass first before we start moving around,” he said.