Floods from heavy rain turn Metro Manila into 'waterworld'

Floods from hours of heavy rain turned Metro Manila into a water-world Saturday, with some roads rendered impassable to vehicles and many schools forced to cancel classes for the day. Residents in several areas in Metro Manila where rain was heavy were advised to seek safer ground and take the necessary precautions. In Malacañang, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Palace expects local government units concerned to "respond appropriately." "The local government units hopefully will respond appropriately. We remind people to take the necessary precautions," he said on government-run dzRB radio. Lacierda also said President Benigno Aquino III is "monitoring the situation sa pag-uulan." State weather forecasters on Saturday morning advised residents of several areas in Metro Manila to move to safer grounds amid heavy rain there. These included Parañaque, Taguig, Manila, Marikina, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Pasay and Pasig Cities. “Flooding is expected in low lying area and along river and creek channels. Residents in high-risk areas are advised to move to safer place and monitor the weather condition and watch out for the next warning,” it said. Earlier, PAGASA issued a similar warning to residents of Parañaque and Taguig Cities. NDRRMC: 1 missing in Laguna One person was reported missing after a river incident in Lumban town in Laguna province late Friday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Saturday. In its report, it said search operations were ongoing for Jonathan Sagodaquiel, 31, in Wawa village in Lumban. It said the incident occurred at 5 p.m., where the victim was reported to be "intoxicated" while crossing the Lumban River "and was swept by the strong current." Meanwhile, in Rizal province, one Kim Go, 17, nearly drowned after falling into a creek at Gen. Ricarte Creek in San Juan village in Cainta, Rizal at 8 p.m. It said Go was rescued and was brought to Bagong Cainta Municipal Hospital then transferred to Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City. Roads impassable Heavy rain also caused floods in parts of Metro Manila, rendering some streets impassable to light vehicles, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said. Singalong-Osmeña Extension was not passable to all types of vehicles. Many of the other flooded areas included those in the southern part of the metropolis such as Pasay and Makati Cities. The MMDA noted gutter-deep floods at Rodriguez Street in Pasay City. In Makati City, it said a part of South Superhighway in Medina was not passable to light vehicles as of 7:43 a.m. Also in Makati, it noted gutter-deep floods at the southbound loading bay at Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). Gutter-deep floods were also noted at the Washington Buendia area in Makati. Knee-high floods Floods reached knee-high levels in parts of Metro Manila, rendering them impassable to light vehicles. The MMDA indicated the floods were mostly in southern Metro Manila, including Makati City in the early hours of Saturday. In posts on its Twitter account, the MMDA said floods were knee-deep and not passable to light vehicles at Medina Dela Rosa. The city government also said floods were knee-deep and not passable to light vehicles at Brgy. Sta. Cruz along Montojo Street. Also not passable to light vehicles were Chino Roces and Kalayaan; Taylo and Medina in Brgy. Pio del Pilar; and Dela Rosa from Chino Roces to South Superhighway. In Quezon City, dzBB’s Glen Juego reported gutter-deep floods in parts of Quezon City, including Aurora Boulevard. The report also noted poor to zero visibility at Aurora Boulevard, with some motorists turning on their flashers. Schools suspend classes Several colleges in Metro Manila suspended their classes Saturday due to a heavy downpour that began early morning. The Polytechnic University of the Philippines said classes in all campuses have been suspended due to the rain. "(A)ll PUP Meto Manila Campuses are now suspended including Graduate School, Law School and Open University," it said on its Twitter account. It said earlier that classes are suspended 9 a.m. onwards in PUP Sta. Mesa including Graduate School and College of Law. Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, Manila also suspended classes for the day. "We are suspending classes today due to inclement weather," it said. Some schools had suspended classes since Friday but only up to the high school level, due to heavy rain. Radio dzBB reported National University canceled classes for the day starting 9 a.m., and canceled graduate school classes starting noon. It added the University of Santo Tomas canceled classes at all levels for the day. The Far Eastern University also suspended classes in Manila and Makati City campuses. Also, the University of the Philippines Manila campus canceled classes due to inclement weather. Local government units in at least three cities in Metro Manila suspended classes up to the college level. Pasay, Mandaluyong and Marikina Cities all announced the suspension of classes in public and private schools in their respective turfs, radio dzBB reported. Classes at the Philippine Women's University and University of the East also announced the suspension of classes for the day. A GMA News tweet said classes and work at Mapua Makati and Intramuros were also suspended for the day. Another tweet said Pamantasang ng Lungsod ng Maynila likewise suspended classes. Radio dzBB also reported the Philippine Christian University also suspended classes for the day. Ateneo de Manila also announced undergraduate and graduate classes were suspended starting 10 a.m. PNR train operations The floods prompted the Philippine National Railways (PNR) to suspend its operations between Tutuban in Manila and Alabang in southern Metro Manila. PNR spokesman Paul de Quiros said they were forced to “hold” the operations starting 7 a.m. because of flooding at the tracks in the southern Metro Manila area. “May flooding sa Magallanes area. Basta may flooding 4 to 6 inches above the track hinihinto namin ang takbo ng train, baka ma-damage ang train namin," he said in an interview on dzBB radio. Hotlines The Official Gazette issued the hotlines of several government agencies. These include: