The severe flooding in Barangay Talibaew, Calasiao, Pangasinan, has forced residents up their homes.
Residents like Milagros and her grandchildren have sought refuge on the second floor of their house. With floodwaters yet to subside, as of this writing, they are forced to use an improvised bamboo bridge in going out to dry land and in returning home.
"Ang baha sa baba [ay] malalim kaya hindi kami makalabas. Nandito sa taas [ang mga gamit namin], dito [na] kami nagluluto sa taas," Josefina Torio, a resident, said.
Some areas in the barangay have been submerged for three days, yet the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) reported that no evacuations had been made as of the morning of July 26.
It is taking slow for flood waters to recede because Calasiao has since been a catch basin during heavy rains.
"Sanay na sila. Hindi lang taon-taon [nangyayari]; aabutin ng isang buwan na bahang ganyan," Jesusa de Vera, another resident, said.
As of 9 a.m. on July 26, the water level of the Marusay-Sinucalan River, which flows through Calasiao and Sta. Barbara, has surpassed seven feet, nearing the critical level of 8.5 feet.
In Sta. Barbara, the MDRRMO is conducting intensive clearing operations using backhoes and trucks to remove water lilies blocking the waterways.
Raymundo Santos, the Sta. Barbara DRRM Officer, said the water lilies were washed down from other towns, not originating in Sta. Barbara.
"Sa taas kasi malakas pa ang ulan kaya hindi pa alam kung gaano katagal bago humupa, baka maapektuhan kami," Santos said.