Marcos says nine CamSur towns still 'fully submerged' in floods

Nine towns are still fully submerged in floods in Camarines Sur, a province hard hit by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. said Friday.

''So, in CamSur right now as of about one hour, of the 36 towns, nine towns are still fully submerged. Around six towns are partially submerged,'' Marcos said in a speech.

''But the province has been very, very quick in distributing house-to-house food distribution and every area has already been reached. And we are augmenting the provinces’ food supplies so that patuloy ang ating relief,'' he added. 

Marcos said transporting goods is still a concern, however, he ensured that airlift capability will come in the province. 

''But we have set up triage camps on both sides of Maharlika Highway that is presently now still cut off. So, those are providing food and medicines onsite,'' said the President.

''And we are in constant contact with our local government units so that we are in close coordination with the first responders who are, of course, those who guide us in where the most critical areas are. We will continue to do this,'' he added.

In a separate situational briefing, Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian said the main concern in the province were water and fuel supply. He said Manila Water and Maynilad would be providing water supply for the affected areas in the province.

''Basically, from my discussion with Governor Villafuerte this morning, they’re okay with the food. Mr. President, his main concern was water. I know we did send the water purification systems pero nagkataon, Mr. President, naipit ho ‘yung trucks sa Milaor kasi naputol ho ‘yung road na ‘yun medyo baha pa ho,'' he said.

''But as an action step, Mr. President, we spoke to Manila Water and Maynilad Water, and they have already provided us with quite substantial number of those six-gallon na lalagyan. And we are now working with the Air Force so we can airlift these,'' Gatchalian added.

''Manila Water is providing us 400 pieces of five-gallon containers. While Maynilad is doing 2,000 six-gallon --- six-liter containers,'' Gatchalian said.

Naga City, Camarines Sur was among the heavily affected areas with residents being trapped in their houses due to high water levels.

Earlier reports said 30% of Naga’s land area was covered by flood waters, affecting 70% of the town’s population.

The flash flood in Naga can be attributed to the heavy rainfall, high tide, overflowing of Bicol River, and spilling of water from Mount Isarog, the local disaster management office had said. —AOL, GMA Integrated News