High tide, rains from storms worsening flooding in Bulacan

From half knee to thigh level, Bulacan residents say flooding persists in several areas in the province due to high tide and intermittent rains from three storms inside and outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Dano Tingcungco, residents are already complaining of disruption by the floods of their livelihood and other daily activities.

"Parang mas malalim pa sa high tide, lumala pa. Abot hita, mababasa na ang shorts ko. Hindi na nga kami makapaghanapbuhay nang maayos, di na makapasok mga bata," Lorna Crisostomo, a resident of Hagonoy town, said.

Barangays like Santa Monica, Santo Nino, Tampo and San Miguel are among those badly-hit by the floods.

Due to the rains, PAGASA also issued a warning of release of water from a spillway gate of Ipo Dam.

Residents near river and low-lying areas in Norzagaray, Angat, San Rafael, Bustos, Baliuag, Pulilan, Plaridel, Calumpit, Paumbong and Hagonoy have been warned.

Manuel Lukban Jr. of the Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, however, assured that the water released from the dam will not aggravate the flood situation in the province.

"Kayang-kaya pang saluhin ng Angat River,  walang dapat maging kaba ang ating mga cities and municipalities along Angat River," he said.

"Yung releases ng Ipo minor pa yan, sabi ko nga nasa orange pa lang tayo, di pa ito magko-cause ng flooding. but sa area ng Norzagaray, ang unang babagsakan niyan, bago yan kumalat sa iba ang Norzagaray ang binibigyan natin ng warning kasi maaaring mag-cause yan ng konting flashflood," he added.

Relief operations are ongoing for the residents affected by the floods.  The provincial government has also readied rescue equipment in case families need to be evacuated should rains persist in the coming days.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News