'Domeng' exits RP, leaves 3 people dead — NDCC

After leaving at least three people dead and forcing the closure of key roads in northern Luzon, tropical depression “Domeng" weakened into a low-pressure area as it exited the country Thursday. In its 6 p.m. Thursday bulletin, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said the three fatalities were passengers of a motorized boat that capsized in Laguna de Bay in Rizal province at height of tropical depression Domeng. Meanwhile, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) continued to monitor a low-pressure area (LPA) east of Luzon that may intensify into another cyclone. “Meron tayong binabantayang LPA na sa 780 km east of northern Luzon .... Malaki ang posibilidad na mabubuo ito kasi nasa karagatan (We are monitoring an LPA some 780 km east of northern Luzon. There is a big chance it will intensify into a cyclone because it is still at sea and is gathering strength)," PAGASA forecaster Buddy Javier said in an interview on dzBB radio. If the LPA intensifies into a cyclone, he said it will be codenamed “Ester," the fifth cyclone to enter Philippine territory this year. He did not say when the LPA would become a cyclone as it is still too far from land. Weather site Typhoon2000.ph indicated there is a 60-percent chance the LPA can become a cyclone in 48 hours. PAGASA’s 11 p.m. Thursday advisory indicated Domeng was on its way to the South China Sea. As of 4 a.m. Friday, PAGASA said Domeng was estimated at 190 km west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur. It said both the LPA and the weakened Domeng are expected to continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over the country particularly the western section. 3 drowned, roads closed The NDCC said that aside from leaving three people dead, Domeng also caused closure of key roads in Cordillera. In its 6 p.m. Thursday report, NDCC said “Domeng" caused a pump boat to capsize in Laguna de Bay in Rizal province Wednesday at 3 p.m. The pump boat “MB Arzon" carrying 60 passengers was heading for Binangonan town from Janosa village in Talim Island when it capsized. NDCC identified the three drowned passengers as Bernaro Mondarez, 40; Silvestre Beruzzo, 32; and Jomar Radam, 18. Local “bangkeros" rescued the other 57 victims. Meanwhile, the NDCC said roads in Mountain Province and Benguet were particularly affected by “Domeng." NDCC said the Mt. Province-Ifugao Road in Alfonso Lista (Paracelis Section Km 464+750) was closed due to a damaged box culvert. The Mt. Province-Cagayan Road via Tabuk Enrile Road (Km 410+800) was also closed. In Benguet, the Itogon Daluprip Road (Km 289+200) in Itogon and Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road (Km 271+800) had a “close-open" situation. On the other hand, the Atok-Halsema Road (Km 36), Namalitok Bridge (Km 337+000) Riverside and Acop Kapagan-Kibungan-Bakun Road was closed. But all roads and bridges in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, and Central and Southern Luzon are passable, NDCC said. — LBG, GMANews.TV