227 LGUs under state of calamity

MANILA, Philippines —  Up to 227 local government units across the country have been placed under a state of calamity due to severe damage caused by the storms and the southwest monsoon.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that among areas placed under a state of calamity, 73 are located in Calabarzon, 46 in Central Luzon and 32 in Negros Island Region.

In Ilocos, 30 areas have been placed under a state of calamity, 19 in Western Visayas, 18 in Mimaropa and eight in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Updated reports showed 34 fatalities,   22 injured and seven missing.

As of yesterday, 32,332 families composed of 113,438 people remained in 1,145 evacuation centers across the country, particularly in Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Ilocos and the NCR.

The estimated amount of damage to infrastructure has increased to more than P9.4 billion, while to agriculture reached P1.9 billion.

Meanwhile, classes in areas in Pangasinan struck by Emong and the monsoon remained suspended as of yesterday.

Classes in all levels were suspended in Agno, Aguilar, Alaminos, Bani, Bautista, Binmaley, Bolinao, Bugallon, Burgos, Calasiao, Dagupan, Labrador, Mabini, Malasiqui, Mangaldan, Mangatarem, San Carlos, Sual and Urbiztondo.

In Lingayen, only classes from pre-school to high school were canceled yesterday.

The local governments of Alaminos, Bani, Bolinao and Mabini announced that classes in their areas would remain suspended until tomorrow while in Binmaley is until today only.

Work in government offices were suspended in Dagupan City as some areas remain flooded.