Families in Batangas barangay climb up roofs to escape floods

Some families in a Batangas City barangay were forced to climb up the roofs of their houses to keep safe from the sudden flooding caused by Tropical Storm Jolina.

According to John Consulta's "24 Oras" report, over 500 residents in Barangay San Isidro were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard from extreme flooding after a nearby river overflowed due to the heavy rains.

One of the residents, Maricris De Leon, could not hold back her tears after the typhoon wiped away their resources amid the already devastating pandemic.

"'Yung bubong namin malapit. Kahit mga bigas, grocery, wala, back to zero po. [We had to go up our roof. The rains swept away our rice, groceries. It's back to zero for us]," she said.

Another resident, Myrna Palma, said they are at a loss on how to to proceed after the storm.

"Kung baga di pa kami nakakabawi, eto na naman kami, back to zero. Uunahin namin ang buhay," she said.

[We don't know what to do. We are back to zero. But we have to save our lives first.]

According to Andres Malibiran, barangay captain of the village, 91 people or about 25 families are staying in their evacuation centers. Other residents went to their loved ones living in other villages, he added. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News