Zambales Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., together with Engineer Domingo Mariano and Botolan Mayor Omar Ebdane personally inspected the Bucao River in Botolan on August 10, 2026, following damage to a portion of the river dike caused by heavy rains brought by the Enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).
Photo by: Zambales for the People
IBA, Zambales — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has recommended placing the entire province of Zambales under a state of calamity following widespread flooding and damage brought by the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones “Luis” and “Maymay.”
The recommendation was contained in PDRRMC Resolution No. 02, Series of 2026, adopted Aug. 19 at the Provincial Capitol here.
The resolution cited the extensive impact of the weather disturbances on communities, infrastructure and agriculture across the province.
According to PDRRMO Situational Report No. 23, some 5,770 families or 17,317 individuals were affected by the disaster.
Among the most serious damage was the destruction of the Sta. Fe Bridge in San Marcelino, which was swept away by strong river currents, cutting off Barangay Sta. Fe and disrupting access between communities.
About 119 residents were displaced from their homes in Sta. Fe because of flooding and were moved to safer areas.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) estimated infrastructure damage in the province at P390.22 million, while recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction requirements were placed at P966.25 million.
An additional P96.85 million in damage to flood-control infrastructure was reported by concerned local disaster risk reduction offices, with estimated recovery requirements of P114 million.
The agriculture sector also suffered losses, with rice damage affecting 1,007 farmers and 810.48 hectares, resulting in estimated losses of P11.22 million.
Damage was likewise reported in high-value crops, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture, irrigation facilities, agricultural infrastructure, machinery and equipment.
The proposed provincial declaration comes as several local government units in Central Luzon have also been placed under a state of calamity.
The latest figures shared through the NDRRMC Media Group showed 88 local government units nationwide under a state of calamity. These included province-wide declarations in Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite and Bataan, as well as several municipalities and cities in Pangasinan, Rizal and Batangas.
For Zambales, the NDRRMC listing identified Masinloc as the lone municipality under a state of calamity at the time of the report.
Masinloc declared a state of calamity through Municipal Resolution No. 217-26 dated Aug. 17, citing widespread flooding, property damage and disruption.
Photo by: Zambales for the People
The PDRRMC said the scale and geographic spread of the damage warrant a province-wide declaration to strengthen the coordination of emergency response, relief, early recovery and rehabilitation efforts.
The council also noted that the province continues to face weather-related threats, including possible flooding and landslides, making sustained preparedness and response operations necessary.
The recommendation was made pursuant to Republic Act 10121, or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, and the national guidelines governing the declaration of a state of calamity.
The final declaration of the entire province under a state of calamity will be subject to action by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zambales.
The resolution was adopted under the leadership of Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., chairman of the PDRRMC, and certified by Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Rolex E. Estella.