MANILA, Philippines — Street vendors in Marilao, Bulacan had no choice but to sell their goods on Thursday at a lower price than to go home empty-handed after the onslaught of Typhoon Carina
Rochelle Bondoc, a vegetable vendor, sold her goods along the highway in Tabing Ilog, Marilao, Bulacan after the public market in the area was hit by floods due to Carina.
“Paubos na lang natin, maging pera lang. Kahit palugi na,” said Bondoc in an interview.
(Let’s sell it out, just to make some money. Even at a loss.)
In Marilao, Bulacan, vendors resort to selling their goods along the main road after the public market was submerged in floodwater due to #CarinaPH.
They tell us, they’d rather sell their goods at a low price than go home empty-handed.
“Kahit lugi na basta may maiuwi.” pic.twitter.com/viux150Aej
— Neil Arwin Mercado (@NAMercadoINQ) July 25, 2024
She also said that many of her vegetable goods from Balintawak that were supposed to be sold on Wednesday had become rotten.
“Maraming nabulok, maraming natapon,” she added.
(A lot became rotten and were disposed of.)
READ: More Luzon areas under state of calamity due to Typhoon Carina
A state of calamity was declared in Bulacan as the Department of Interior and Local Government tagged Baliwag, Obando, Plaridel, Pulilan, and Sta. Maria as “hard-hit areas” with immediate needs.
Rochelle Bondoc, a vegetable vendor, is now selling her goods along MacArthur Highway in Marilao, Bulacan after the public market in the area was submerged in floodwater.
She tells a common story for many vendors here: “Paubos na lang natin, maging pera lang. Kahit palugi na.” pic.twitter.com/IzxbPJewd0
— Neil Arwin Mercado (@NAMercadoINQ) July 25, 2024
The Ipo and Bustos dams in the province released 1,055 cubic meters per second of water on Wednesday due to the heavy rain brought by the southwest monsoon (habagat) and Typhoon Carina, resulting in floodwaters reaching 6 feet deep in low-lying areas.
While Carina exited the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday morning, the southwest monsoon enhanced by the typhoon will bring heavy to intense rainfall over Ilocos Region, Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Zambales, and Bataan on Thursday night, while moderate to heavy rainfall is forecast over areas in the western part of Luzon from Thursday night to Saturday.
READ: 2 Bulacan dams release water due to heavy rainfall from Carina