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Balanga, Dinalupihan in Bataan placed under state of calamity


Balanga City and the municipality of Dinalupihan in Bataan were placed under a state of calamity on Sunday after floods hit many barangays, according to the Philippine Information Agency-Bataan.

In a Facebook post, PIA-Bataan said barangay officials in Balanga City were being mobilized to help in the possible evacuation of residents.

Residents may seek shelter at the Bataan National High School and Bataan People Center, the government agency added.

Those residing in low-lying areas were advised to move to houses with a second floor or to buildings with at least two storeys for safety.

Meanwhile, in Dinalupihan rescue operations were ongoing as of posting time, according to Mayor Gila Garcia, as reported by PIA-Bataan in its Facebook account.

Flooding has affected parts of Bataan on Sunday as rains from the southwest monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by Tropical Depression Josie continued to pour.

PAGASA raised a red rainfall warning at 1 p.m. on Sunday over Bataan, meaning torrential rains and severe flooding were expected.

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Jose Maria Garcia, information center manager of PIA-Bataan, said rescue operations were ongoing in the province.

"Buong araw pong nagsasagip buhay ang mga local responders. Marami pong humihingi ng tulong sa social media at emergency hotlines," he said.

Garcia added that preemptive evacuation was already implemented in Mariveles, Pilar, and Morong even when the rainfall warning was still orange.

He said 178 individuals representing 42 families were evacuated to the Municipal Evacuation Center in Pilar.

Meanwhile, in Morong, 16 families from Barangay Sabang, 22 families from Barangay Poblacion, and 18 families from Barangay Mabayo were evacuated to the Morong Evacuation Center, Garcia said.

He added that prophylaxis units were distributed earlier this week by the Provincial Health Office to barangays and rural health centers for the prevention of leptospirosis.

Doxycycline antibiotic medicines were also delivered to the Bataan General Hospital to be used to treat leptospirosis patients, Garcia said.

Residents were advised to contact the local government at hotlines (0917) 811 7117 and (0919) 911 7117 (Balanga City) for assistance.

The Bataan Province hotline is 911 (open 24 hours), while those of the Metro Bataan Development Authority are (0927) 6056991 and (0919) 9146232, Garcia said. —KG, GMA News

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