‘Crising’ dumps rains on MM

MANILA, Philippines - Tropical depression “Crising” exited the country Thursday night, leaving four persons dead and dumping monsoon rains in Metro Manila and other areas.

Disaster management officials yesterday alerted local officials to prepare for minor flooding in Metro Manila and Calabarzon due to the northeast monsoon.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a yellow (heavy rainfall) advisory, warning residents of possible flashfloods and landslides. 

The weather bureau said the northeast monsoon dumped light to moderate rains over Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Aurora, Bulacan, Tarlac, Zambales, Pampanga and Bataan.

PAGASA administrator Nathaniel Servando said they are not expecting the development of a low-pressure area or tropical cyclone in the next three to five days. 

“We can expect improving weather today in most parts of the country, even in Mindanao,” Servando said in a text message to The STAR. 

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said two new fatalities were recorded in the Davao region.   

Nelson Jeminez, 40, drowned in Davao del Norte, while 12-year-old Namatyagan Namones died in a landslide that hit the border of San Fernando, Bukidnon and Davao Oriental.                

The other fatalities were Francisco Digaynon and Erwin Campana, who  drowned while crossing rivers in Compostela Valley.  Crising left four persons injured.

NDRRMC executive director Eduardo del Rosario said the local disaster management offices and national government were well prepared, providing early warning and conducting preemptive evacuation.

“The four fatalities, four injured and two missing are very low. During previous incidents, the casualties reached hundreds,” he added.

At least 36,407 families or 183,966 people in 137 barangays in Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Caraga and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao were affected by Crising. 

Of this figure, 19,798 families or 96,438 individuals are temporarily housed in 37 evacuation centers.       

The NDRRMC said a total of 1,383 persons remain stranded in Palawan, Zamboanga, Pagadian, Iligan, Bongao and Jolo.  The Department of Social Welfare and Development allocated P68.7 million in standby funds and relief goods to help the affected families.  

Classes suspended, flights diverted

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday ordered the suspension of classes in all levels in the city’s public schools due to floods caused by continuous rains.

Classes in all public schools in Parañaque City were also suspended. 

Meanwhile, five international flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were diverted to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark after the Instrument Landing System at the NAIA malfunctioned yesterday.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the ILS, which guides aircraft landing during bad weather, could not be used until Feb. 28. With Rudy Santos, Sandy Araneta, Perseus Echeminada