Ilocos towns battle floods, stalled livelihoods due to Enteng

Several areas in Northern Luzon are still feeling the effects of the inclement weather brought by Severe Tropical Storm Enteng despite its exit from the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

According to a 24 Oras report by Jasmin Gabriel Galban on Wednesday, residents are on alert for possible five-meter waves along the coastlines of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.

In Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, the Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office is monitoring four coastal barangays due to the risk of a storm surge.

“Mahirap dahil sa paglakas ng alon. Masisira ang mga bahay namin dito,” said resident Aurora Rabina.

(It’s hard because the waves are so strong. Our houses will get destroyed.)

Over 800 fishermen in Pasuquin have also been unable to set out on their vessels, while farmers in Badoc, Ilocos Norte lament over destroyed crops.

“Ganiyan na ang nangyari. Wala na kaming maaani niyan. Gastos,” said farmer Nelson Juan.

(That’s what happened. We can’t harvest anything anymore. It’s costly.)

Authorities in Suyo and Cervantes in Ilocos Sur continue to watch out for possible landslides.

Coastal barangays in Daluyong have also been reminded to stay alert, while fishermen were prohibited from venturing out due to a gale warning being placed in effect.

Meanwhile, residents of Sitio Fisheries in Barangay Malued, Dagupan, Pangasinan have begun using rafts as transportation amid flooding in the area.

“Napasukan na yung bahay ko. Kahirap pag ganitong umuulan na,” shared resident Eleonor Morante.

(Flood has entered my house. It’s hard when it’s raining like this.)

“Sobrang hirap. Nababahala ka sa mga bata. Baka mahulog sila,” added another resident, Arnel Cariño.

(It’s really hard. You will get worried for the children. They could fall in.)

Residents living in Calasao also battle knee-deep floods that have begun to enter their homes.

“Hindi na kami makalabas-labas ng bahay. Nakabota kasi para umiwas sa leptospirosis. Mahirap na,” said resident Virginia Fiastro.

(We couldn’t leave the house anymore. We have to wear boots to avoid leptospirosis. It’s hard.)

The distribution of relief packs in several areas of Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur continues despite the ongoing weather. — Jiselle Anne C. Casucian/BM, GMA Integrated News