THE Zambales Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has recommended placing the entire province under a state of calamity following widespread damage caused by the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay.

In Resolution No. 02, Series of 2026, adopted on Aug. 19 at the Provincial Capitol in Iba, the PDRRMC cited extensive flooding, landslides, soil erosion, damage to homes and agricultural resources, disrupted transportation and destruction of critical infrastructure.

The resolution said 5,770 families, or 17,317 individuals, had been affected by the disasters based on PDRRMO Situational Report No. 23.

Among the most significant damage was the destruction of the Sta. Fe Bridge in San Marcelino, which was swept away by strong river currents.

The incident isolated Barangay Sta. Fe and disrupted access between communities on the northern and southern sides of the river.

About 119 residents of Barangay Sta. Fe were also displaced from their homes because of flooding and transferred to safer areas, according to the resolution.

The PDRRMC also reported extensive damage to flood-control and river-protection structures in several municipalities, including slope protection, river dikes and other flood-control facilities.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) estimated infrastructure damage at P390.22 million, with recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction requirements placed at P966.25 million.

Additional damage to flood-control infrastructure reported by municipal disaster risk reduction and management offices was estimated at P96.85 million, with about P114 million needed for recovery.

The agricultural sector also suffered substantial losses. Rice damage alone affected 1,007 farmers and 810.48 hectares of farmland, resulting in reported losses of P11.22 million.

Additional damage was recorded in high-value crops, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture, agricultural infrastructure, irrigation facilities, machinery and equipment, further affecting the livelihood and productive capacity of communities across the province.

The PDRRMC noted that Zambales continued to face weather-related threats and the possibility of further flooding and landslides, requiring sustained emergency preparedness, response and recovery operations.

The Municipality of Masinloc had separately declared a municipal state of calamity through Municipal Resolution No. 217-26 dated Aug. 17, citing widespread flooding, property damage and disruption.

The provincial disaster council said the destruction of critical and lifeline infrastructure, particularly the loss of the Sta. Fe Bridge and extensive damage to flood-control facilities, warranted provincial-level intervention.

It said a province-wide declaration would strengthen coordination among government agencies and local governments in carrying out response, relief, early recovery and rehabilitation measures.

The PDRRMC formally recommended to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zambales the declaration of the entire province under a state of calamity.

The recommendation will cover affected municipalities and communities and will be supported by the latest situational reports, damage assessments, needs analyses and reports on infrastructure and agricultural losses.

The council also directed the continued validation and updating of damage, loss and needs assessments to support recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

The resolution was certified by Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Rolex E. Estella and approved by Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., chairperson of the PDRRMC.