Residents wade through floodwaters in several parts of Olongapo City on Aug. 29 as rivers rose and spilled over amid heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon. Thousands of residents fled their homes, with 1,395 individuals from 452 families staying in evacuation centers as of 9:30 a.m. Saturday. —Photos courtesy of Olongapo City Information Center
SAN ANTONIO, ZAMBALES, Philippines — At least five more people died, and four remained missing in separate incidents across Central Luzon amid days of relentless southwest monsoon or “habagat” rains that triggered floods, landslides and strong currents, bringing the region’s death toll to 16 in less than a week.
In Zambales, the body of pregnant Aeta woman Arryn Paanan Liwanag, 26, was recovered from Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino on Sunday, four days after a boat carrying 13 Aetas capsized. Her recovery brought the lake tragedy’s death toll to nine, with four survivors.
Two other passengers, children Chandnea Serrano Dela Cruz, 3, and Anqelito Serrano Liwanag, 8, were recovered on Saturday. The group had traveled to Barangay Buhawen for a vaccination program and a 4Ps meeting when their boat encountered strong winds and rough waters.
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