Eight people have died and 19 are missing after widespread seasonal rains caused flooding in the southern and eastern parts of the country, according to the spokesmen.

Most of the missing are said to be small-scale fishermen.

According to the Coast Guard, two of the dead were crewmen on a fishing boat that capsized during Christmas Day in connection with strong winds off the island of Leyte.

Of the total of 45,700 people who were evacuated from their homes, 33,000 came from the city of Gingoog.