Virgilio Lorenzo Jr

PCG locates 3 fisherfolk in Zambales, still searching for 4 missing after Tarlac bridge collapse

Article (news)

Katrina Domingo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Monday confirmed that it has located 3 fisherfolk who went missing in Zambales as heavy rains battered parts of the Philippines last week.The 3 fishermen were aboard a boat that capsized in the waters of San Marcelino, Zambales on August 27.&quot;Nakita na po natin yung huling taong na hinahanap natin so kahapon po nag close na rin po ang ating search and rescue operations,&quot; PCG Spokesperson Commodore Noemi Cayabyab told state television PTV.&quot;Itong 3 missing individuals ay nalocate na natin at naturn over na sa ating mga pamilya,&quot; she said.Earlier reports noted that 4 more fishermen survived the incident, while 6 others died from the mishap.The PCG is still monitoring some 238 stranded passengers in the port of San Agustin in Romblon, the officials said.In Tarlac, search operations continue for 4 people who fell off a collapsed bridge, Cayabyab said.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/29/dpwh-to-build-temporary-steel-structure-to-reconnect-collapsed-aquino-bridge-in-tarlac-1600">READ: DPWH to build temporary steel structure to reconnect collapsed Aquino Bridge in Tarlac</a></div>&quot;We are conducting a search and rescue operation para ma-locate itong apat,&quot; she said.<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17881651083721788165102528.jpeg" style="width:960px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon inspects the damage to the Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City, August 29, 2026. Photo courtesy of Tarlac Gov. Christian Yap"/>DPWH Sec. Vince Dizon inspects the damage to the Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City, August 29, 2026. Photo courtesy of Tarlac Gov. Christian Yap</div>The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) has also deployed several assets to help with evacuation and other disaster-related operations, its spokesperson Fire Superintendent Anthony Arroyo said. So far, the agency has helped evacuate over 302,700 individuals or 95,328 families, Arroyo said in a separate interview.&quot;Isang hamon sa aming responders ay talagang madilim ang area at napaka delikado din. ‘Yung malakas na water current na nararanasan din ng aming mga respondents,&quot; he said.&quot;Pakiusap sa ating mga komunidad na makinig sa mga awtoridad sa mga sinasagawang pre emptive or forced evacuation,&quot; he said.&quot;‘Wag ninyo pabayaan yung mga anak ninyo na maglaro sa mga flooded areas, lalo sa mga lugar na malakas yung water current at mag ingat din tayo sa mga naitatalang tumataas na insidente ng leptospirosis,&quot; he said.Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that around 2.3 million family food packs have been distributed to affected areas.&quot;More than half of the quantity of food packs released ay napunta sa Central Luzon. Nagpapatuloy pa din yung pagrerelease sa Pampanga, Bataan gayundin sa Zambales,&quot; DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/8/31/power-restored-in-almost-all-habagat-hit-areas-meralco-1257">READ: Power restored in almost all Habagat-hit areas: Meralco</a></div>The DSWD also clarified that each box is worth P797.80, contrary to reports that the government spends P1,500 for every food pack.&quot;Dumadaan po yan sa competitive bidding. Ang kontrata ay inaaward sa supplier na most responsive at least expensive,&quot; Dumlao said.As of August 31, 6 a.m., there are still some 164,000 people staying in 1,300 active evacuation centers across Luzon, most of which are in the National Capital Region, Ilocos and Central Luzon, she said.

In Tarlac, search operations continue for 4 people who fell off a collapsed bridge, Cayabyab said.

In Tarlac, search operations continue for 4 people who fell off a collapsed bridge, Cayabyab said.