Garbage problem exacerbates Hagonoy floods

High-tide left several areas in Hagonoy, Bulacan, flooded over the weekend — a problem exacerbated by the community's garbage problem, GMA News' Susan Enriquez reported on 24 Oras on Monday.

The flood reached up to 4.9 meters high after rivers made shallow by siltation overflowed, bringing foul-smelling water to homes in two barangays, the report said.

"Sanay na po, araw-araw kaming naglilimas," Martina Medina, a resident, said as she scooped water from her house using a dustpan.

Improper garbage disposal by residents was also blamed for the flooding, the report added.

"Disiplina po talaga ng tao, ma'am, kasi 'yung tapon ng basura, 'yung mga ilog natin, 'yung mga kailogan dito sa Hagonoy, halos nasasakop na ng kabahayan," said Rene Crisistomo of the Hagonoy Risk Reduction and Management Office.

Because of this, local officials have commenced their flood control project.

Officials from the local government and the National Solid Waste Commission were joined by members of the  Mother Earth Foundation in clearing the rivers of trash.

Meanwhile, residents of Brgy. San Miguel noted that the water is taking longer to subside - what was once a week of flooding, turned into two.

Although the flood subsided by 2 p.m. on Sunday, the report said the local MDRRMO expected the flood to return the following day, since the high tide was seen to hit 4.9 meters once more.  —Margaret Claire Layug/KBK, GMA News