Evacuation underway in Paranaque City

MANILA, Philippines—Evacuation is ongoing for more than 80 families or nearly 300 people, mostly informal settlers living along danger zones in Paranaque city, due to flooding in the area.

In an interview, Public Information Office Nelson Lacambra said that as of 9 a.m., there were already four evacuations conducted in the city, starting at 5:30 a.m.

The string of evacuations began with around 29 families or 120 people evacuated from along the swelling Tambo River. They are now staying at the Tambo Elementary School.

At 7:15 a.m., 14 families or 30 individuals were evacuated to the Paranaque National High School, from Barangay San Dionisio.

Most of the evacuees came from residents of Medina Compound in the

barangay. Lacambra said the area was low-lying.

At around the same time, 28 families or 122 individuals were evacuated to the La Huerta Elementary School. Evacuees came from Barangay La Huerta’s coastal areas.

At 8:30 a.m., 14 families were evacuated to Col. E. De Leon Elementary School in Barangay Baclaran. Lacambra said they were mostly informal settlers from nearby areas.

Lacambra said the flooding in the city hit even subdivisions such as BF Homes Paranaque, with neck-high waters. As of press time, however, there have been no reported evacuations in the area.

He said vehicles were also avoiding the SM Sucat area, which have been prone to floods because of an ongoing construction on the C5 road.

Radio reports reveal that evacuations were also underway in informal settler communities in Sucat, with floods rising up to the chest and even up to some shanty roofs.