Metro Manila, Philippines — Nonstop rains triggered by two tropical cyclones that had enhanced the southwest monsoon have affected more than four million people, disaster management officials said on Friday, Aug. 14.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) tallied the numbers at 1,205,839 families, or 4,177,097 people, across the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), the Cordillera Administrative Region, Metro Manila, and Mimaropa (Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan).
Twenty one people were killed, 17 were injured, and three are missing. The NDRRMC also reported damage to 1,428 houses, while infrastructure and agricultural losses totaled nearly ₱3 billion.
More than 50,000 people are staying in over 520 evacuation centers, while government assistance to affected communities has reached nearly half a billion pesos.
The heavy rains have put the spotlight on flood control and drainage systems.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. inspected flood control and clearing operations in parts of Metro Manila, where he described the volume of garbage clogging waterways and pumping stations as a “critical” problem.
Marcos said the administration is studying waste-to-energy facilities as part of efforts to address solid waste that can contribute to flooding.
But while authorities work on long-term measures, residents in flood-prone communities continue to deal with the immediate impact of rising waters.
In San Fernando, Pampanga, residents of Olivas Subdivision are suffering from waist- to chest-deep floodwaters after days of rain.
Homeowner association president Jhune Santamaria told NewsWatch Plus that they expect the flood to stay, and the pumping machine is useless with the elevated level of the nearby river.
“Every year po yan kasi wala po kaming proper drainage at saka kanal dito. Tapos kapag nag-high tide po, syempre tataas ang tubig,” Santamaria said.
[Translation: This happens every year because we don’t have proper drainage or canals. The water level rises during high tide.]
Barangay San Nicolas Chairman Jerwin Sembrano said around 330 families in the subdivision are perennial flood victims, adding that the barangay provides relief goods and has acquired a large pump to drain water.
“Sakripisyo po ang ginagawa ng mga tao. Nasanay na po sila na pag dumating na po ang habagat, mga bagyo, automatic… lubog na ’yon,” Sembrano said.
[Translation: The people are making sacrifices. They already expect flooding whenever the southwest monsoon or typhoons come.]
In barangay San Miguel in Calumpit, Bulacan, where several flood-control projects have come under scrutiny, residents are also dealing with recurring flooding.
Resident Ogie Sunga said floodwaters can reach waist-deep and worsen during high tide.
He said a flood control structure is in place but the nearby river still overflows.
Sunga said residents have observed that the floodwaters appear higher each year.
Both Calumpit and Pampanga have declared a state of calamity, along with more than 10 other areas affected by the impact of the heavy rains.
“Hiling lang sana namin na mga naninirahan dito na sana magawan na ng solution. Mahirap din kasi na pagsapit ng tag-ulan, lagi na lang kami binabaha dito,” Sunga said.
[Translation: We just hope there will be a solution for the people living here. It is difficult because every rainy season, we are always flooded.]
