300 MMDA personnel on call for rescue, unclogging ops

As heavy rains caused by the habagat (southwest monsoon) that was enhanced by Typhoon “Odette” continued to pound Metro Manila on Monday, more than 300 personnel of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) were mobilized to conduct simultaneous rescue and unclogging operations in flood-hit areas.

Since Sunday, the nonstop torrential rains have caused flooding in the metropolis and nearby provinces, resulting in the evacuation of families in affected areas and the suspension in several cities of classes and government offices.

In a statement, MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the agency would provide all the necessary assistance to affected areas, including rescue teams.

“We have also deployed heavy equipment and mobile water pumps to facilitate the immediate [removal] of floodwaters as well as provided [free rides] to passengers on Pasay Taft, España in Manila and Sucat in Parañaque,” Tolentino added.

In Quezon City, nearly 600 families from eight flood-prone barangays (villages) voluntarily left their homes for higher ground as soon as the flood warning was raised over Metro Manila and nearby provinces yesterday.

Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (QCDRRMO) head Dr. Noel Lansang told the Inquirer that residents in the flood-prone areas did not need any prompting to evacuate as leaders of affected barangays immediately initiated their emergency plans.

Lansang said some 80 families from Barangays Sto. Domingo and Damayang Lagi sought shelter in three churches in the area. Evacuees from Barangay Sto. Domingo trooped to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes Church and Sto. Domingo Church while those from Barangay Damayang Lagi went to Bishop Sobrepeña Memorial Church.

“Most of the residents chose to stay in churches where they felt safe and where they could pray,” the QCDRRMO head told the Inquirer.

In Barangay Tatalon, close to 200 families went to Diosdado Macapagal Elementary School while evacuees from Barangays Apolonio Samson, Damayan, Doña Imelda, Masambong and Roxas District sought shelter in covered courts and multipurpose halls.

But Loribel Buyuccan of the local social services and development department said that by 3 p.m., most of the evacuees had returned to their homes after the floodwaters went down.

Mayor Herbert Bautista earlier suspended classes in all levels, both public and private, and later canceled work at city hall.

In Muntinlupa City, 221 families or 717 people from eight of the city’s nine barangays had to leave their houses due to floodwaters ranging from knee- to waist-deep.

“The heavy rainfall caused Laguna de Bay to spill over, triggering flooding in low-lying areas in Muntinlupa,” Mayor Jaime R. Fresnedi said.

In Taguig City, the figures were higher with 510 families, or 2,459 people, from 11 barangays in the city forced to seek shelter at 12 centers due to flooding.

Marikina officials were closely monitoring the water level of Marikina City, ready to alert residents to evacuate should it reach 17 meters.

Classes in all levels were suspended in Marikina City and the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) area.

On the other hand, only classes in the preschool to high school levels were called off in Pasay, Pasay, Makati, Pateros, San Juan City, Mandaluyong and Antipolo City.—With Nathaniel R. Melican, Jaymee T. Gamil, Julie M. Aurelio and Kristine Felisse Mangunay