The severity and effects of recent Habagat
For Filipinos, the past few days have been difficult and challenging due to intense inclement weather. Areas across the country experienced severe rains from southwest monsoons and some even experienced floodings and landslides. The cause of destruction, southwest monsoon (Habagat), was intensified by two Tropical Depression – Typhoon Luis and Typhoon Maymay which made consecutive landfalls as Typhoon Luis landed on August 3 on Isabella and Typhoon Maymay landed on August 6 on Ilocos Sur.
On August 8, the intensity of the rain caused National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) to issue scaled-color weather system warnings: Red warning level indicating probability of serious flooding and landslide, orange warning for threats of flooding, and yellow warning for threats of flooding for flood prone areas. This warning was issued to several parts of Luzon which were most affected by the weather.
While both tropical depressions weakened into low-pressure area, this has intensified and resulted into enhanced southwest monsoon, affecting at least 382,000 people or 110,000 families in eight regions, NDRRMC reported on Sunday, August 9. Additional reports also say that the intense weather affected 148 houses, and the infrastructure damage amounted to PHP105.5 million, with PHP3.53 agricultural losses.
The devastating event not only brought property and agricultural damage; it also resulted in human loss as well. Recent reports from news outlet Inquirer updated the death toll count from 9 to 16 as of August 11, 2026, with human loss revealed to be caused by electrocution, drowning, rockslide, and landslide by heavy rain. In present, counts and search for potential victims are still ongoing, the death toll and injured count may still increase.
Government Aid
In these hard times, the government response can make a difference by providing relief and monetary aid to typhoon victims. On August 10, Monday, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian held a press conference and announced the aid to be provided for those affected by typhoon. Secretary Gatchalian states that around 1,000 warehouses across the family currently maintain five (5) million food packs, the largest stockpile for emergency goods compared to previous years to be distributed.
In addition, 245,474 non-food items are also ready to be deployed affected communities and around PHP 1 million financial assistance has been sent for affected communities in north cordillera due to recent landslide. As of now, Secretary Gatchalian reports that 54,370 family food packs have been released; communities and people can expect this number to increase as the agency still processes more deployment of emergency goods and supplies.
On the same day, President Marcos also held a briefing to address immediate dispatch of relief and continuous preventive measures for flooding. During the briefing, several government agencies announced the reach out programs and budget allocations for financial relief to affected areas – The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) with local government units have provided ₱39.37 million financial aid which aims to reach Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Cordillera Administrative Region, Calabarzon, MIMAROPA, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
Further, the government has also dispatched 3,841 personnel for search and rescue operations for the aftermath of the monsoon while 4,392 personnel and 943 pieces of equipment remain on standby if needed. Armed Forces of The Philippines (AFP) has dispatched fourteen air assets and one naval asset. Members of Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), Philippine Navy, and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) have also been deployed while some are on standby, waiting for added calls.
President Marcos not only addressed the government aid and relief, but also the approach for preventing flooding, by checking high‑density polyethylene pipes, operation of pumping stations, and proper waste disposal to prevent drainage clogging and overflowing of rivers or other large bodies of waters. Search and rescue operations are still ongoing, the count for infrastructure and agricultural damage is also expected to be updated, and relief operations are still being processed, but one way or another, this recent habagat will serve as a great lesson yet again, for proper flood control program implementation for Filipinos by the government.
PAG-ASA updates for the week’s weather
Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAG-ASA), weather specialist Chenel Dominguez states that habagat continues to weaken but rain may still affect Luzon parts due to habagat from Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro. She further added that the country may expect fairer weather conditions in the upcoming days as the monsoon continues to dissipate.
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Aside from the serious toll of the deathly effects from the intense rainy weather, these last few days have been challenging since the heavy rain disrupted the daily life of many. It has been a cause for slow internet or mobile networks, power outages, and flooding of streets, which resulted in the majority unable to accomplish daily errands and tasks. Many errands requiring face-to-face appearance such as banking for payments, sending remittances, and transfer of funds have been halted due to extreme weather conditions.
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