By Marie Joy S. Carbungco | August 13, 2026

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — The province of Pampanga has been placed under a State of Calamity following the widespread damage brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon or Habagat.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan approved Resolution No. 10524 during a special session held on August 12, 2026, based on the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (PDRRM) Council under Resolution No. 6, Series of 2026. 

This declaration aims to enable immediate, coordinated, and effective response and recovery measures across the affected local government units (LGUs). 

The PDRRM Office’s situational report as of Aug. 12, 2026 indicates that the combined effects of continuous heavy rainfall and successive inclement weather resulted in the flooding of 297 barangays across 17 LGUs, affecting 269,775 families or 860,076 individuals in 372 villages. 

The agriculture sector likewise suffered extensive damage, with ₱505.36 million in crop losses and ₱3.4 million in livestock damage recorded, affecting 3,787 farmers and fisherfolk. 

Floods also displaced over 8,100 individuals and disrupted essential services across multiple municipalities and cities in the province. 

In addition to the economic losses, the province’s exposure to high flood risk was highlighted in the 2023 Climate Disaster Risk Assessment, which identified 515,673 individuals as moderately to highly susceptible to flooding.  

This vulnerability exceeds the 15 percent threshold of the population at risk, required under NDRRMC Memorandum Order No. 60, s. 2019, to justify a state of calamity declaration.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan emphasized the urgency of mobilizing all necessary government resources to restore normalcy, deliver aid, and begin long-term rehabilitation efforts. 

This resolution ensures the activation of emergency funds, price control, and faster procurement processes to respond efficiently to the disaster.

Governor Lilia Pineda earlier instructed the PDRRMC to coordinate with affected LGUs and national government agencies to conduct damage assessments and deliver immediate support to displaced families, especially those in evacuation centers.

With this, LGUs can utilize their 30 percent quick response funds for relief and recovery efforts. 

The declaration is expected to remain in effect until the adverse impacts of the calamity are addressed and sufficient rehabilitation measures have been implemented.

Meanwhile, the provincial government continues to call for public cooperation, vigilance, and unity as response and recovery efforts move forward in the spirit of bayanihan, ensuring no Kapampangan is left behind. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3–Pampanga)