Close to 4,000 flood victims in Metro Manila rescued

MANILA, Philippines—Close to 4,000 persons were rescued and transferred to evacuation centers after they were displaced by floods that hit several cities in Metro Manila due to heavy rains.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said it has rescued and evacuated 832 families, or about 3,922 individuals, from flooded areas in the cities of Manila, Quezon, Makati, Mandaluyong, San Juan and Marikina.

The flooding following a night of heavy rains brought by the monsoon, which was enhanced by tropical storm “Maring.” It hovered over the North Philippine Sea and drenched the main northern island of Luzon with up to 30 millimeters (just over an inch) of rain per hour.

In Marikina, MMDA said 436 families were evacuated from Concepcion, Malanday and Nangka villages.

In Baseco areas in Manila, 68 families have been brought to safety and 65 families in Quezon City have been transferred to higher ground.

In Makati, 80 families from Bangkal, Palanan and Rizal villages have been taken to evacuation centers.

In Mandaluyong, 125 families from Addition Hills, Daang Bakal, Mabini and Poblacion villages have been rescued.

In San Juan, 58 families from Salapan, Kabayanan and Balong Bato villages have been evacuated.

MMDA General Manager Corazon Jimenez said they were more prepared this time as compared to last year when monsoon rains also submerged many parts of Metro Manila.

Corazon attributed this to its better coordination with local government units, adding that LGUs were also better prepared.

Jimenez noted that it was only Las Piñas City that requested for rescue boats and sandbags from the MMDA.

“We were monitoring the flooding, the usual areas, especially when the rains intensified on Sunday evening.  I’m surprised that some areas like Camanava [Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela] did not ask for assistance for evacuation until Monday morning,” she said.

Corazon also noted that 51 flood-pumping stations located across Metro Manila are operational and are loaded with sufficient fuel. Should a pumping station run low on fuel, MMDA is authorized to buy from the nearest source.

“Due to Habagat last year, we have overcome the problem. We have prepositioned our rescue units. The deployment of assets was also coordinated with the other agencies,” MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said.