Rescue ongoing but affected residents urged to evacuate, not wait–MMDA

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Rescue operations are ongoing in several parts of Metro Manila following massive floods spawned by heavy rains.

Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Francis Tolentino said they have deployed teams to Biak na Bato and Sucat.

At the same time, Tolentino urged affected residents not to wait for the rescue teams and to evacuate their homes.

“Sana makinig sila at unahin nila ang physical and family safety. Huwag na tayong maghintay ng rescue, lumikas na po tayo kung saan mas secured tayo [We’re hoping that they listen and put their physical and family’s safety first. Let’s not wait for rescue, let’s evacuate where we are most secured],” urged Tolentino.

The MMDA official expressed hopes that the bad weather would not lead to another “Ondoy” experience but voiced worries over the overflowing Marikina River, creeks, and dams.

Tolentino was referring to tropical storm “Ondoy” which flooded Metro Manila and parts of Luzon in September 2009, claiming hundreds of lives and destroying property worth millions of pesos.