Floods persist in parts of Bulacan, Pampanga despite fair weather

Knee-deep floods persist in several areas in Bulacan, affecting livelihood and classes, Cedric Castillo’s report on “24 Oras” on Wednesday.

Out of the nine towns hard hit by the recent monsoon rains, the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said two municipalities are still reeling from the floods despite the fair weather.

This is due to the flood waters from elevated areas cascading toward the province, it added.

“Yung ating mga preventive na evacuation ipinahanda na kung kinakailangan. Kasi nade-determine naman kung magbabaha o hindi,” said Bulacan PDRRMO Head Manuel Lukban Jr.

(We were tasked to conduct preventive evacuation if needed. We can determine if there will be floods or not.)

“Yung ating rescue boats, pinasigurado ang gasolina, pinasigurado ang standby mga responders natin at any event nakaready tayo,” Lukban said.

(The rescue boats were checked and the respondents were asked to be on standby. We are ready for any events.)

Some households and schools in the Calumpit town are still flooded, the report said.

In Macabebe, Pampanga, the deep floodwaters rendered the Apalit-Macabebe-Mansantol Road impassable, causing heavy traffic that stretches to Calumpit, Bulacan.

“Walang kita dito sa loob...Kapag walang baha, talagang puno ito. Hindi na magkasya,” a business owner said.

(We don’t have sales. But when there’s no flood, people flock here.)

For its part, the Bulacan provincial government said it is eyeing to convert the flood-prone areas in Calumpit into a tourist destination and establish businesses including floating restaurants.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News