By E.H. EDEJER | August 17, 2026

MASINLOC, Zambales — The Sangguniang Bayan of Masinloc has declared a state of calamity in this municipality, as the local government prepares to address impacts of widespread flooding, property damages, and economic disruptions caused by continuous heavy monsoon rains.

Mayor Hazel Jalata Lim said the town council passed Resolution No. 217-26 declaring the state of calamity during a special session on Monday afternoon, August 17.

Lim said the declaration would empower the town executive to use funds to provide basic assistance to residents who are temporarily out of job or forced to evacuate.

Republic Act No. 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, allows a local Sanggunian to declare a state of calamity for the local government to tap quick-response funds, control prices of basic commodities, and execute emergency relief measures.

Masinloc, which is predominantly a farming and fishing community, was the first to declare a state of calamity among the 13 municipalities in Zambales.

The Masinloc Sanggunian said heavy to intense rainfall has resulted in severe flooding in several low-lying and flood-prone villages here, causing damage to local infrastructure and agriculture, forcing families to evacuate, and disrupting work and school classes.

An initial damage assessment by the Masinloc Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) also showed that continuous rains paralyzed critical community services and livelihood activities, thus necessitating immediate government intervention, the Sangguniang added.

Several Zambales towns reported severe flooding following two weeks of heavy rains from the southwest monsoon, or habagat, that was enhanced by Typhoons “Luis” and “Maymay.”

More than 7,000 residents across the province evacuated at the height of the heavy rains, while portions of protective dikes were breached and at least one bridge was swept away by lahar-engorged rivers, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office had reported.

As of 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 17, Zambales was still under heavy rainfall alert, with red, or intense, warning over the southern towns of Subic, Castillejos, San Marcelino, San Antonio, San Narciso, San Felipe, including Olongapo City. Orange warning, meanwhile, prevailed over the northern towns of Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, and Cabangan.

The provincial government also advised residents on Monday that Zambales fell among the 15 areas directed to implement alternative government work arrangements and school learning modes on Tuesday, August 18, under Memorandum Circular No. 128 in view of expected heavy rains.

The circular also covered the National Capital Region (NCR), Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Bataan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Laguna, and Occidental Mindoro.

OLONGAPO LANDSLIDES

Meanwhile, at least two landslides occurred in Olongapo City on Monday, August 17, amid heavy rains from habagat, according to the Olongapo City Fire Station (OCFS).

These occurred separately in Barangay Barreto, and in Tabacuhan, Barangay Sta. Rita. Personnel from the fire station responded to the incidents, cleared debris off the road, and helped secure the exposed areas, the OCFS said.

In Barangay Old Cabalan, meanwhile, a portion of the Olongapo-Gapan Highway was cordoned off to motorists after the slope protection collapsed.

Residents said strong water flow from a nearby drainage may have weakened the foundation of the embankment. ▲

COVER PHOTO: An MDRRMO worker monitors the water level at the Sta. Rita River in Masinloc in this August 8 photo. (Masinloc LGU)