Albay flood victims face uncertainty in aftermath of Kristine

Residents of Albay face uncertainty on how they can move forward after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine heavily hit the Bicol region.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the aftermath of Kristine was evident on the roads en route to Albay. 

The GMA Integrated News team had to use an alternate route via Buhi-Iriga Road as the road in Baao, Camarines Sur is not passable. 

On their way, residents can be seen drying up their clothes outside after their homes were flooded. 

“Bigla kasi yung pagtaas ng tubig. Nagmadali kami i-ahon ang mga gamit namin, di naubos. Kaya ayun basa, karamihan ng gamit namin basa,” said Mila. 

(The rise of flood water was very sudden. We were in a hurry to save our stuff, but not all of them. So most of our things are wet.) 

The situation in Libon, Albay is not far from the conditions in other parts of the province. 

A farm garage had vanished, engulfed by raging water at the height of the storm. The flood also swept away a tractor, a tricycle as well as farm animals. 

“Nananawagan po ako kay mahal na Pangulong Bongbong Marcos na sana po matulungan kami sa trahedyang ito, maibalik ang pangkabuhayan namin sa pagsasaka,” said Jerome Bagasala. 

(I appeal to President Bongbong Marcos to help us following this tragedy. Please help us recover our agricultural livelihood.) 

Rice fields in Libon were also affected as they were covered by thick layers of sand and soil after the dike broke during the flooding. 

“Wala na po, 'yun nalang ang na ano parang disyerto na,” said farmer Julie Avila. “Di po namin alam kung paano maguumpisa.” 

(We cannot do anything about it. It looks like a desert now…We don’t know how to start over again.) 

Meanwhile, municipal workers in Libon are trying to save documents by drying them under the sun after the municipal office was also submerged in floodwaters earlier. 

The local government of Libon said that two were reported dead in their town, while one is said to be missing following a landslide incident. 

“Pinaka-worst na flooding in history sa amin na bayan ng Libon, grabe po,” said Mayor Bas Maronilla. “Maraming pong nalubog at nawalan ng bahay. Mga used clothing po ang kailangan namin.” 

(This is the worst flooding we experienced here in Libon. Many residents lost their homes due to flooding. We appeal for used clothes for donation.) 

Volunteers from the Philippine Red Cross helped in towing away stuck vehicles along the 500-meter stretch of San Fernando-Milaor Road in Camarines Sur going to Naga.—Vince Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News