Calumpit, Bulacan still under floodwater, 127K residents affected

More than 127,000 residents have been affected by floods brought by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) in Calumpit, Bulacan.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Jun Veneracion on Friday, authorities expect one more week before floodwater subsides in almost 29 barangays in the area.

Local authorities said the flood was caused by the enhanced Habagat, high tide, and the release of water from Ipo Dam and Bustos Dam.

“Sa ngayon po, halos lahat lumubog, 29 na barangay, lalo na yung mga subdivision ngayon. Ito po medyo matagal, kasi nga kasabay ng high tide. Ang high tide nandyan na talaga 'yan,” said Calumpit Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office chief Jonjon Santiago.

(As of now, all 29 barangays remain submerged. This one would take more time, because it happened during the high tide. The high tide has always been there.)

Residents in some areas have already taken preventive measures to protect their belongings.  Some items and chickens can be seen on roofs.

“Nilalagay po minsan [kasi] malulunod sila roon [sa lapag]. Hindi sila makikipanginain. Nilalagay namin diyan, tapos babarabulan namin sa taas ng pagkain,” said a resident.

(We place them there sometimes [because] they can drown [on the ground]. They cannot eat. We place them there, then we just throw them food up there.)

Some residents have their private rowboats prepared and parked outside their houses for similar incidents of flood.

“Noong nabili namin ito, bale P7,000… Ilang taon na ito, nasa 9 years na. Sulit na,” added another resident.

(When we bought this for P7,000... It's been many years, 9 years already. It's been a good deal.)

Even private subdivisions in Calumpit were no strangers to flooding.

Other residents have begun using lawn tractors to help transport residents in and out of residential areas.

Schools not submerged in flood are utilized as evacuation centers, which causes uncertainty as to the start of classes on Monday.

In Hagonoy, Bulacan, residents continued their planned procession and celebrations for their local festival. —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News