18 areas in Cagayan remain flooded after typhoon

After two days of continuous rain due to Typhoon Tisoy, 18 areas remain flooded in Cagayan, causing severe damage to properties as well as hardships to its residents, according to a Friday report by James Agustin in 24 Oras.

The following areas are affected by the flood: Lasam, Rizal, Baggao, Tuao, Pamplona, Lal-lo, Piat, Amulung, Tuguegarao City, Sto. Niño, Solana, Allacapan, Enrile, Iguig, Aparii, Sanchez Mira, Alcala, and Claveria.

In Tuguegarao City, houses remained flooded after the Cagayan river overflowed.

"Yung tubig dito sa national highway, umabot po ng lampas tuhod. Umabot ng mga one  meter, ganun, ang taas," Genaro Adduru, an official in Barangay Gosi Norte, said. 

Meanwhile, flooding in Alcala has reached the ceiling of houses. Residents in some areas in Solana were also forced to evacuate.

Due to the flooding, relief goods are not easily delivered. According to the report, they were carried aboard boats to reach the affected residents.

Over 6,000 residents in Cagayan will remain in evacuation centers, according to the report.

The Provincial Board declared a state of calamity over Cagayan for the second time because of the situation.

"Ito, one of the worst flooding na nangyari sa amin because it is too massive. The whole stretch ng Cagayan River. Two days and two nights na halos walang tigil. Pero last night, tumigil," Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba said.

The flooding also revealed illegally cut down trees. Though forbidden, the Provincial Government of Cagayan admitted that there were some lumberjacks who do not get caught.

"Lahat ng pang-aabuso sa kalikasan dito, we are the one suffering. Hindi ko sinasabi na walang illegal logging dito, marami rin dito mga walang hiya lalo na yung mga politiko dito sa amin. This is the truth. Even mayors and some police officers, they are in cahoots with DENR people," Mamba said.

In response, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said they will investigate the situation.

"Ipa-check ko ito kung there was illegal logging there tsaka if it was related to that. Ipapa-check ko definitely itong mga ganitong complaints ng mga citizens na natatanggap ko, aaksyunan namin kaagad," DENR Secrteary Roy Cimatu said.

After the flood receded in Ilagan City, Isabela, the damage it caused became evident.

Hectares of corn plantation were filled with mud and broken trees from the mountains. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News