2 Laguna areas still flooded due to cyclones

To assess the damage brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on October 25, 2024 conducted an aerial inspection in Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, and the National Capital Region (Photos courtesy of MPC Pool)

MANILA, Philippines — The city of Biñan and the municipality of Santa Cruz in Laguna province are still flooded after the onslaught of cyclones in the country, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported on Thursday.

Laguna was among the provinces heavily impacted by recent cyclones, particularly Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

“It can be recalled that it took three months for the flooding to subside in our towns near the lake. Here, those affected by the storm experienced its almost stationary presence over our area. Nearly all towns were impacted, including our upland municipalities,” PDRRMC Officer Aldwin Cejo said in Filipino in a Teleradyo interview.

In October, the Office of the Civil Defense reported that Calabarzon recorded the highest death toll at 48 during the onslaught of Kristine.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that 584 areas in various towns across 15 regions experienced flooding caused by the storm.

READ: Kristine deaths up with Calabarzon toll

Heavy rainfall from Kristine also caused rapid water flow in Laguna de Bay in October, according to the Laguna Lake Development Authority.

This prompted the agency to suspend all activities on the lake, including transportation and fishing, until weather conditions improved.

Due to the effects of recent storms, the local government units have been conducting dredging activities to deepen the river tributaries in various cities and towns across Laguna, Cejo said.

“Due to the rains in neighboring provinces, Laguna Lake is being affected, and as we know, it can no longer accommodate the water coming from other provinces, especially with the rainfall here in the province of Laguna,” he added.

The Laguna PDRRMC also continues to push for the implementation of the drainage master plan, which will be spearheaded by the provincial government in coordination with local planning officers, engineers, and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) officers.

Cejo said they have been seeking assistance from the NDRRMC to support their dredging and desilting initiatives for Laguna de Bay.

“We are requesting assistance from the NDRRMC, as the association of DRRM officers has written a letter. But for now, what we can do is desilt and conduct dredging activities in the rivers of each town, as there are many tributaries in Laguna Lake. What the local government unit can do at this point is carry out dredging and implement programs to prevent flooding along the lakeshore cities and municipalities of Laguna,” he added.

Permanent standard evacuation centers are also being established for residents affected by flooding in Laguna. The DRRM Fund of the provincial government is being used for this project, according to Cejo.

READ: NDRRMC: Death reports due to cyclones Nika, Ofel, Pepito rise to 12