CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — Classes on Monday were suspended in most parts of Central Luzon due to heavy and continuous rains that triggered massive flooding in many places in the region.
Provincial chief executives in Zambales; Tarlac; Nueva Ecija; Pampanga; and Bataan declared the suspension of classes in all levels in both public and private schools because of the floods triggered by southwest monsoon rains.
Classes in all levels, both in public and private schools, were also suspended in two highly-urbanized cities in the region, Olongapo and Angeles, that were also pounded by heavy rains.
Localized suspension of classes, on the other hand, was declared in Bulacan as occasional rains, enhanced by tropical depression Josie, continue to be experienced in the province.
Suspension of classes in all levels for both public and private was suspended in the cities of Malolos and Meycauayan and in the towns of Bocaue; Balagtas; Paombong; Calumpit; Obando; Hagonoy; Bulakan; and Marilao.
Floods caused by continuous heavy rains engulfed many areas in the region Sunday, rendering some major roads not passable to all types of vehicles.
The supply of electric power was also cut off in Bataan and Zambales due to massive flooding.
Based on the latest road situation report submitted to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Office III, there are areas still closed to traffic for light vehicles in Olongapo City.
These are Jose Abad Santos Avenue with knee-deep floodwater along Olongapo Public Market; Olongapo-Bugallon road; and Apo Rotonda with above knee-deep floodwater.
In Bataan, there are still some areas not passable to light vehicles. These include the portion of Balanga-Poblacion and the Layac-Balanga-Mariveles port road in Balanga City and Orion due to the overflowing of Cataning River;
Other roads impassable to light vehicles in Bataan are the Km 106+100 in Barangay Mabuco, Hermosa; Km 109+450 in Barangay Mulawin, Orani; Km 118+000 In Barangay Mabatang, Abucay; Jose Abad Santos Avenue in Barangay Sta Isabel, Dinalupihan; Km 104+000 in Barangay Loacan, Dinalupihan.
Aside from flash floods, landslides were also reported Sunday in Olongapo City and in the towns of Bagac and Mariveles in Bataan.
So far, there was no report of casualties or missing persons in the region.
The continuous southwest monsoon rains enhanced by tropical cyclones Henry, Inday and Josie, however, affected some 78,068 families or 307, 417 individuals in the entire region.
As a result, some local government units declared a state of calamity.
The province of Bataan was placed Sunday under state of calamity due to massive flooding .
Other LGUs now under state of calamity were Balanga City and Dinalupihan town, also in Bataan; La Paz in Tarlac; Licab in Nueva Ecija; Masantol in Pampanga; and Hagonoy in Bulacan.
Meanwhile, continuous rains are expected to prevail in some parts in the region.
Based on the latest regional weather forecast issued by the weather bureau as of 5 a.m. until 5 p.m.; monsoon rains will be experienced over Zambales and Bataan while occasional rains are expected over Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Bulacan. (Zorayda Tecson/PNA)
