Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 19) — A total of 11 barangays in Naujan, Oriental Mindoro are now flooded due to heavy rains, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said Thursday.
MDRRMO head Joery Geroleo told CNN Philippines’ Balitaan that Apitong and Barcenaga were added to the list of submerged barangays, namely Pinagsabangan I and II, Motoderazo, Nagiba I and II Masagana, Santiago, Andres Ilagan, and Buhangin.
Geroleo said local residents are used to flooding since Naujan is a catch basin, where the biggest watershed in Oriental Mindoro is located, but even they were surprised with the volume of water that kept coming.
“Kaya ‘di po namin ‘yung [baha] inaasahan na sa epekto nung shear line at amihan (northeast moonsoon), dinagdagan pa po ng pinalakas na LPA (low pressure area). [Kahit] nawala naman po siya [ulan], sabi ng PAGASA, ay napakaraming tubig ulan ang dumating dito sa aming bayan sa umagang ito,” Geroleo said.
[Translation: That’s why we did not expect the floodwaters due to the shear line and amihan, plus the intensified LPA. Although PAGASA said the rain subsided, a lot of rainwater came into our town this morning.]
Geroleo said floodwaters started rising at around 2:00 a.m.
The Naujan calamity response office also posted alternative routes to avoid the waist-level flooding along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway.
As of 9:00 a.m., the Curva Naujan in Barangay Pinagsbangan II was declared impassable to some vehicles as floodwaters rose to knee level.
The Naujan local government also announced the suspension of work in government offices and classes in all levels in private and public schools.
Geroleo called on the national government for help in dredging the catch basin and the construction of dikes to lessen flooding, which began when the rains started pouring on Dec. 19 last year.
According to PAGASA’s 11:00 a.m. bulletin, light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be experienced in Quezon, Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Northern Samar, and the Bicol Region.
