La Union residents recall survival from deep floodwaters during Maring onslaught

Residents of Bangar, La Union have shared their survival stories during heavy rains and deep floodwaters spawned by Severe Tropical Storm Maring, according to JP Soriano’s “24 Oras” report on Thursday.

Maria Espiritu, a resident of Barangay Barraca said her family waded through the almost neck-deep floodwaters at the height of the storm.

“Yung mga anak ko nilangoy na lang nila ako doon sa bahay na malaki, dyan na lang po kami magdamag na basang-basa po talaga, walang-wala po kaming naisalba kahit ni isa maliban lang po sa suot namin,” the 65-year-old mother recalled.

(My children helped me get to the big house. We were there all night soaking wet. We didn't save anything except the clothes that we are wearing.)

Medilyn Estillorie, owner of the house that rescued Espiritu and 10 other families, said the incident tested their unity and resilience in the neighborhood.

“Paano namin maayos yung mga gamit namin? Paano namin maibabalik yung mga gamit namin ganun, yung mga asawa namin construction lang magkano lang ang sahod,” Estillorie said.

(How can we fix our belongings? How can we get our belongings back when our husbands are only construction workers who do not earn much.)

Meanwhile, an 85-year-old survivor in the neighborhood recounted how she embraced the heavy wood in her house to prevent her from being swept away by the raging waters.

“Nung tumaas na yung tubig nagtayo ako sa haligi, niyakap ko ang bigat,” Maria Milia Madrid said.

(When the water level rose,  I hugged the post of the house.)

According to local authorities, the residents’ area is near the Amburayan River, which overflowed due to the downpour.

It was found out that the town’s dike sustained damage, which caused severe flooding in the area.

Authorities recorded at least 23,000 families in La Union affected by the calamity.—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA News