Tornado hits Bulacan town

HAGONOY, Bulacan—Over 50 houses were partially damaged after a tornado hit two villages in San Miguel town the other day.

This developed, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) is looking into the string of tornadoes that hit the province since 2007.

Liz Mungcal, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said that at least 90 families were affected by the tornado that hit Barangays Penambaran and King Kabayo in San Miguel town.

Packed with strong winds and gust of rainfall, the tornado ripped house roofing made of light materials.

Mungcal said no one was reported injured and the provincial government has sent relief goods and other assistance to victims.

This developed, the PDRRMO is also verifying reports of another tornado, locally known as “buhawi” in Hagonoy town, while Pagasa is studying series of incidents in the province.

Hilton Hernando, an officer of Pagasa’s Pampanga River Flood Forecasting and Warning Center (PRFFWC) told thre STAR that the agency is already looking into the incidents.

He said that while the study is inconclusive yet, they are considering it as an effect of climate change.

He added,” or it could be because we have better reporting system now due to advances of technology.”

Based on records, the frequency of tornado that hit Bulacan started to increase in 2007 when the towns of Bustos, Baliuag, San Rafael, and San Miguel were hit in different occasions.

It was followed by another sting in 2008 in Ballgatas and Bocaue towns.

Last year, Calumpit town was hit twice by two separate tornadoes, while another was reported in Hagonoy town