608 Central Luzon villages flooded; 117 areas in calamity

Residents wade in floodwaters in Brgy. San Pedro, San Simon, Pampanga on August 31, 2026. (Courtesy: Barangay San Pedro, San Simon, Pampanga)

Flooding has worsened in Central Luzon, with 608 barangays now reported flooded across six provinces, according to the latest situation report from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

The affected barangays are in Pampanga (327), Bulacan (88), Tarlac (87), Bataan (43), Zambales (56), and Nueva Ecija (7).

The OCD also monitored 33 other incidents, including soil erosion, landslides, mud and rock flows, fallen trees and collapsed infrastructure in Bataan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Olongapo City and Angeles City.

Four barangays remain geographically isolated after strong currents and high water levels damaged bridges and cut off primary access. These are Sta. Fe in San Marcelino and Babuyan in Sta. Cruz, Zambales, and Sta. Juliana and O’Donnell in Capas, Tarlac.

Meanwhile, the number of people affected has risen to 3,866,661 individuals or 1,202,249 families across 1,892 barangays in Central Luzon.

A total of 73,793 individuals or 22,094 families are currently staying inside 842 evacuation centers, while another 52,795 individuals or 13,528 families are staying outside evacuation centers.

Flooding and other weather-related incidents damaged 781 houses, including 110 totally damaged and 671 partially damaged homes.

OCD said a total of 117 local government units and areas have been placed under a state of calamity due to the combined effects of tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng and the southwest monsoon.

These include Dagupan City; four areas in Pangasinan such as Santa Barbara, Mangaldan, Bugallon and Mangatarem; 14 areas in Benguet; 12 in Bataan; 24 in Bulacan; 21 in Pampanga; 13 in Zambales; Rodriguez in Rizal; 23 in Cavite; Nasugbu in Batangas; and three areas in Occidental Mindoro such as Sablayan, Paluan and Abra de Ilog. — Rex Espiritu