(BusinessWorld) AT LEAST six people died and 19 others were reported missing as heavy and incessant rains triggered landslides and flooding in several parts of central and southern Philippines during the Christmas weekend, authorities reported on Monday.

More than 44,000 people across the regions of Mimaropa, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Northern Mindanao were evacuated on Dec. 25, and emergency response teams remained on alert Monday as continued rains were expected based on the forecast of state weather agency PAGASA.

Among the confirmed deaths were in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental due to a landslide, according to a report from the provincial police office.

Among those missing were three fishermen in Catanduanes, who failed to return home on Christmas eve after going out to sea, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.