Following rains from typhoons Kristine and Leon, floodwaters at a school in Calasiao, Pangasinan have not subsided after over a week, disrupting daily routines and creating health hazards.

More than 900 students attend the Buenlad Central School, which is now surrounded by murky, algae-filled water.

The school administration has built makeshift walkways to keep students safe, but teachers worry about other health hazards, as well as the potential impact of another storm.

“’Pag hindi nag-subside, magkakaroon ng lamok. Baka magka-dengue. ‘Yung amoy din kasi ‘pag nabubulok na,” Principal Robina Brillante said.

Barangay officials have coordinated with the municipal government to address the issue.

“Lahat na ng lupa sa Songkoy at daanan ng tubig ay sarado na. Naging catch basin na ang likod ng school. Kung umapaw, apektado ang school,” Barangay Buenlag Councilman Pejay Peralta said.

As a temporary measure, municipal health representatives applied larvicidal solution to the stagnant water to prevent mosquitos from breeding.

“Nakita namin kasi ay stagnant water na siya. Nangitlugan na ng lamok,” Calasiao Municipal Health Office Nurse Jierzon Quinto said.

The municipal engineering office plans to assess the area for solutions, such as creating drainage channels, but discussions with private landowners are still needed to gain permission for any alterations.