Tens of thousands of Filipinos continued to stay in evacuation centers on Wednesday as the habagat (southwest monsoon) persisted in bringing heavy rains across vast areas of the Philippines. The combined effects of the habagat and tropical cyclone Crising since last week have affected approximately 400,000 families, or around 1.4 million individuals. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), about 21,000 families, or 77,000 people, sought shelter in evacuation centers.
In Rodriguez, Rizal, around 9,000 people were forced to flee their homes after the Wawa Dam overflowed. Resident Gloria San Juan, now safe at the makeshift evacuation center at Burgos Elementary School (BES), recounted the trauma of wading through waist-deep floodwaters with her grandchildren. “Natataranta na ‘ko, nagkandadapa-dapa na ‘ko sa tubig sa may kalsada kaya yung mga damit namin basa,” she said.
BES Principal Cecille Angeles noted that they initially planned to use only the covered courts and prepared tents for the evacuees, but due to the large influx of people, they had to open classrooms as well. “Purpose sana namin, hindi ma-hinder ang ating klase if ever magbalikan na ang mga bata kaso po ang dami talaga ng mga tao,” she explained, adding that they requested portable toilets to accommodate the large number of evacuees.
Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian visited several evacuation centers in flood-hit Rizal to oversee the distribution of family food packs and hygiene kits. He mentioned that the agency has increased the national stockpile to 3 million from about 2 million last year, and they are in the process of producing more. “Ang nailabas na natin na family food packs, 100,000,” he stated, highlighting the need for preparedness given the frequency of recent storms.
While many residents sought refuge in evacuation centers, some chose to stay behind to guard their homes and belongings. Buboy Angkon expressed concern over his possessions, stating, “Kasi wala tayong pambili ng gamit, yan lang gamit natin e.” Similarly, Arnel Fajel stayed back to care for his pigs, emphasizing the financial investment involved in livestock.
In Caloocan, around 300 people remained in an evacuation center in Barangay 164, even as floodwaters began to recede. Deputy Executive Officer Carmelita Sagum Dupaya reported that while some residents had returned home, others remained due to their proximity to the river. She noted that the release of dam water was a primary factor in the severe flooding, rather than just heavy rainfall.
Residents near the Tullahan River, like Ailyn Getalado, have been at the evacuation center since Tuesday morning. “Maganda yung ano namin pwesto… Meron na po [naipamigay na tulong],” she said, although she lamented losing belongings due to the flooding.
In Barangay Fairview, Quezon City, displaced residents appealed for donations of food, clothing, and other essentials, as many evacuees reported losing all their belongings. Josie Aranda, a resident, expressed her desperation, saying, “Ang hiling lang sana namin yung pagkain kasi sa umaga hanggang tanghalian lugaw sa gabi.” She shared that her home was completely flooded, leaving her with nothing.
Elderly evacuee Regina Julian noted, “Okay naman may pagkain naman [dito], yun nga yung sinabi na lugaw lang,” but echoed the need for more substantial assistance.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that 12 individuals have died due to the effects of tropical storm Crising and the enhanced southwest monsoon. Another weather disturbance, tropical depression Dante, is forecast to further enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing significant rainfall over Luzon and Western Visayas through Friday, with torrential rains likely in Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, and Occidental Mindoro on Wednesday and Thursday.