(UPDATE) 36 flights canceled due to flooding

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - Flag carriers, Philippine Airlines (PAL), have canceled 21 flights between Manila and nine international destinations as well as 12 local destinations due to bad weather caused by southwest monsoon.

Affected PAL international flights included those between Manila and Incheon, Hong Kong, Singapore, Pudong, Beijing and Kuala Lumpur respectively.

Affected domestic flights covered three Manila-Cebu flights, two flights to Caticlan, one each to Davao, Tagbilaran, Butuan, Dipolog, Cagayan de Oro, Tuguegarao and Surigao.

The passengers of these flights may rebook their flights without penalties, the airline announced.

Cebu Pacific Air (CEB), the country's second largest airlines, likewise canceled 15 domestic flights including flights originating from and returning to Manila for two Davao flights, two Caticlan, two Butuan.

Nearly 60 percent of Metro Manila were flooded as a result of southwest monsoon which brought about the Philippines' heaviest rains on record. The government suspended all work except rescues and disaster response for the second straight day.