BAGUIO CITY — The combined effects of Tropical Depression Luis, Tropical Storm Maymay, and an enhanced southwest monsoon have impacted at least 185,512 individuals (52,037 families) across the Ilocos Region, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Sunday.

Pangasinan was the hardest-hit province, with 154,702 people (42,443 families) affected across 144 barangays. La Union reported 28,918 people (8,972 families) affected in 205 barangays, while Ilocos Sur recorded 1,892 people (622 families) affected across 84 barangays.

A total of 365 individuals from 128 families have been displaced. Of these, 150 are housed in 12 evacuation centers, while 215 others sought shelter outside designated evacuation facilities. Pangasinan recorded the highest number of evacuees inside evacuation centers at 111, whereas La Union reported the most displaced individuals staying outside such centers at 188.

Assistant Secretary Irene B. Dumlao of the DSWD Disaster Response Management Group confirmed that at least P3.1 million in assistance has been distributed to affected provinces. She stated that "monitoring and coordination with affected local governments are continuing." Dumlao also noted that the municipalities of Lingayen and Dagupan City in Pangasinan have submitted requests for additional relief support.

Flooding persisted in multiple communities. In Baccuit Sur, Bauang, La Union, floodwaters remained below knee-deep due to continuous rainfall and insufficient drainage systems. Additional flooding was reported in Sta. Lucia, Santa, and Tagudin in Ilocos Sur, as well as in several barangays across Dagupan City, Calasiao, and Lingayen in Pangasinan.

The Ilocos Region, situated along the northwestern coast of Luzon facing the South China Sea, is regularly exposed to tropical cyclones during the southwest monsoon season, which typically runs from June to September. The Philippines experiences an average of around 20 tropical cyclones annually, making concurrent weather systems such as the overlap of Luis, Maymay, and monsoon rains a recurring challenge for disaster response agencies.

In the Cordillera Administrative Region, 3,098 individuals (958 families) were also affected by the storms and monsoon rains. The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council is actively monitoring conditions as heavy rains and strong winds continue across multiple areas.

According to DSWD-Cordillera monitoring as of noon on August 9, 43 families have taken shelter in evacuation centers, while 107 families are staying temporarily with relatives or friends. The severe weather has also damaged 28 houses — three completely destroyed and 25 sustaining partial damage.

The DSWD stated that it continues to coordinate with local government units and partner agencies to deliver assistance to affected families. More than P500,000 in humanitarian aid has been distributed so far, with authorities conducting ongoing assessments and monitoring developments throughout the region. — Artemio A. Dumlao