Drivers, commuters worry about income amid Metro Manila floods

Some drivers and commuters expressed concern about their daily income after being stranded on the streets due to heavy rains that caused flooding in parts of Metro Manila on Friday.

Mario, a 75-year-old taxi driver, said in Darlene Cay's report on "24 Oras" that he would not be able to bring anything to his family since he had to cancel his trips.

“Kawawa naman kaming mga isang kahig, isang tuka. Mabuti yung mga mayayaman, ma-pera ‘yan, nasa condo ‘yan. Eh, kami?” he said.

(We who live hand-to-mouth are in a pitiful situation. The rich people are in a better position since they have money and live in condos. What about us?)

He said he is tired of being stranded by floods, which affects his ability to earn a living.

“Yung nanunungkulan sa atin ay sana nga eh pag-isipan naman nila ‘yung ganyan na pangyayari. Kawawa ang taong bayan sa ganyang klase ng kwan, na katulad namin na isang kahig, isang tuka, na kapag hindi kami bumiyahe, hindi kami kakain,” he said.

(I hope the people in charge would think about these kinds of situations. The citizens are to be pitied in situations like this, especially those who live hand-to-mouth, because if we can't drive, we won't eat.)

Due to the impassable roads, Jess Villamor had to get off the passenger jeepney she was riding on her way to work.

With no other way to make it to her workplace, Villamor was forced to return home.

“Malungkot po kasi sayang yung araw, since nandito na ako. Eh kaso po safety first po tayo…hindi po kasi mababayaran kung sakaling magkasakit man po,” she said.

(I'm sad because the day was wasted since I'm already here. But we have to put safety first... you can't be paid for getting sick.)

In Manila, Marvin Marquez was one of several delivery riders stuck in the rain along Maria Orosa Street leading to Padre Burgos Avenue.

“Yung iba nakakaintindi, yung iba naman hindi…Pagkain ‘yan, gusto nila mahahatid agad kasi masisira man. Sana naiintindihan kami kasi baha eh,” he said.

(Some people understand, but others don't... It's food; they want it delivered right away because it will spoil. I hope they understand us because there's flooding.)

According to the Manila City government, 30% of the city was flooded on Friday.

“Sa nakalap po na datos ng ating automated weather station, sa western portion po ng lungsod ang may pinaka-nakaramdam po ng mga pag-ulan. Kaya ang eastern portion natin, like Santa Mesa, Espana, Sampaloc area, hindi po gaanong binaha. Ang binaha po is yung District 5,” said Christian John Evangelista of Manila CDRRMO Research and Planning Division.

(Based on the data gathered by our automated weather station, the western portion of the city was most affected by the rainfall. That's why our eastern portion, like the Santa Mesa, España, and Sampaloc areas, wasn't as flooded. District 5 was the one that was flooded.)

Parts of Pasay City also experienced floods. Along Diokno Boulevard, a motorcycle rider was seen pushing his vehicle through thigh-deep water.

Personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways, meanwhile, were clearing up canals despite the rain. –Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News