Residents await Rizal government's help as they clear debris after Ulysses

After the flood triggered by typhoon Ulysses comes the debris and personal belongings of residents now covered in mud.

Residents of Barangay Dela Costa in Rodriguez, Rizal hope their local government can at least provide them help in cleaning the dirt as they figure out how to start anew after the tragedy.

According to Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras,” the trash brought out by residents from their houses have started to pile up while cars which got stranded or went underwater were still not removed.

The river beside the subdivision overflowed at midnight due to the strong winds and rain brought by the typhoon.

“Nung bandang alas onse papuntang alas dose, ang bilis na po ng tubig. Bandang bago mag alas tres ano na po, three steps na lang abot na sa second floor. Ganon po kabilis,” Lorna Medina, a resident, said.

When the flood subsided, thick mud covered the village. This left some products spolied, including a rice shop that lost 80 sacks of the staple.

“Pag-iisipan kung paano kami magsisimula ulit. Mahirap po ‘yung sinimulan namin na nag-ipon kami na biglang nawala. ‘Yun ang masakit sa amin,” Bambi Tumaliwan said.

Glen Dela Fuente, another resident, was not able to save any clothing or appliance from the flood. Though thankful he saved his family, he said he did not know how they could recover.

“Hindi po namin alam kung paano kami babangon… tulong lang po,” Dela Fuente said.

Five subdivision in Barangay Burgos were flooded, including the subdivisions of Marigold and Estrella, which were also beside a river.

More than 700 families were moved to evacuation centers.

Meanwhile, the distribution of relief goods is on-going. Authorities also need heavy equipment and water tankers to remove the mud and the trash.

“Kung sino man po ‘yung gustong magbigay po ng bahagi ng tulong para po sa mga sasakyan na heavy equipment na dalhin po dito sa ating barangay para madali po malinis ‘yung atin mga daanan at ‘yun pong mga daanan at ‘yun pong mga debris na galing po sa kabundukan,” barangay chairman Boy Cruz said.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News