Mourners cross flood to bury late loved one in Batangas

Mourners bravely crossed an overflowing spillway to bury the remains of a departed loved to its final resting place in Laurel, Batangas on Thursday morning. 

According to Jun Veneracion’s report in “24 Oras,” the mourners carried the casket while crossing an overflowing spillway as it is the easiest way to the cemetery. 

“Naaawa po kami sa kanila. Kahit sa lakas ng ulan at baha po, ipinipilit pa rin nilang ilibig ang kanilang kamag-anak,” said Tewel Pornea, a resident. 

(I feel sorry for them. Despite the rain and flood, they still pushed through with the burial of their loved one.) 

But the authorities said that crossing the spillway is dangerous. Hence, personnel from the local Coast Guard as well from the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection have been deployed to prevent people from crossing the spillway. 

Meanwhile, there was severe flooding in the town of Lemery, causing difficulty for motorists and pedestrians alike. 

Resident RJ Bansoy was in a hurry to get back home to help his parents evacuate. But his motorcycle became waterlogged while crossing the flooded road. 

“Malakas yung alon sa amin eh. Ako yung tutulong lumikas,” he said. 

(The waves are strong in our place. I need to help them evacuate.) 

Over 400 families in Lemery have so far been evacuated, most of them from coastal barangays, the report said. 

“Mula nung madaling araw, kapag lakas ng ulan, dumami na yung mga nag-evacuate na mga kababayan,” said Mayor Ian Kenneth Alilio. 

(Since early morning, when the rain became heavy, more residents have evacuated.)  

The municipality’s engineering department have been clearing the drainage and canals to lessen the flooding. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News