Occidental Mindoro town told to declare state of calamity due to habagat

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — The municipality of Abra de Ilog has been asked to declare a state of calamity after the southwest monsoon, intensified by successive weather disturbances, left an estimated P69.08 million in damage across the municipality.

The recommendation was contained in Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) Resolution No. 2026-02, Series of 2026, dated Aug. 24.

Based on the consolidated damage assessment and needs analysis, the heaviest losses were recorded in agriculture, other infrastructure, water supply systems and damaged houses.

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READ: Magnitude 4.2 earthquake jolts Occidental Mindoro

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Agricultural damage was estimated at P27,895,722.70, while damage to other infrastructure reached P25,340,000. Water supply systems sustained an estimated P7,440,000 in damage, while damage to houses cost P8,400,000.

The resolution said the agricultural sector suffered substantial losses affecting crops, livestock, fisheries and agricultural infrastructure.

Infrastructure damage was reported in the barangays of Cabacao, Balao, San Vicente and Lumangbayan, including flood protection structures, flooding control structures and river protection works.

The municipality also reported that several municipal and barangay water supply systems sustained damage from erosion, scouring, flooding and other effects of the disaster, disrupting water service delivery in various barangays. 

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A total of 89 houses were reported damaged—45 partially and 44 totally.

The prolonged rains also caused significant displacement of families and individuals, damaged public infrastructure and temporarily rendered several roads and bridges inaccessible or impassable.

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Under the resolution, the declaration of a state of calamity is expected to facilitate the implementation of necessary disaster response, relief, early recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction measures.

Among the priority interventions identified are the provision of food and non-food assistance to affected families and vulnerable sectors; continued assistance to families with partially and totally damaged houses; restoration and rehabilitation of damaged water supply systems; repair of flood-control, flood-protection and other critical infrastructure; clearing and rehabilitation of roads affected by flooding, landslides and road cuts; and restoration of agricultural and fisheries livelihoods.

The MDRRMC also called for early recovery interventions, watershed and river management, and the development of more resilient infrastructure under the “Build Back Better” approach.

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The resolution said the municipality would pursue long-term recovery and strengthen its environmental management, disaster preparedness and climate adaptation measures following the widespread impacts of the weather disturbances. INQ