The Philippine Office of Civil Defense said on the 21st that combined southwest monsoon winds and a tropical cyclone have produced heavy rain and widespread flooding, prompting 88 municipalities to declare a "state of calamity." Worst-hit provinces include Pampanga and Bulacan in Luzon’s largest plain, areas the agency says are highly susceptible to flooding from prolonged heavy rain. The civil defense bulletin reported more than half of villages in Pampanga are submerged, nearly 1.0 million peo

The Philippine Office of Civil Defense said on the 21st that combined southwest monsoon winds and a tropical cyclone have produced heavy rain and widespread flooding, prompting 88 municipalities to declare a "state of calamity." Worst-hit provinces include Pampanga and Bulacan in Luzon’s largest plain, areas the agency says are highly susceptible to flooding from prolonged heavy rain. The civil defense bulletin reported more than half of villages in Pampanga are submerged, nearly 1.0 million people affected, and agricultural losses of about PHP 1.4 billion (≈USD 22.7 million). A "state of calamity" is an official emergency declaration local governments issue during severe natural disasters, epidemics or major crises.