Some Calumpit residents hop on boats amid chest deep floods

Residents in some parts of Calumpit, Bulacan have to use boats on the streets amid the chest deep floods brought by the inclement weather.

In JP Soriano’s report in “Saksi” on Thursday, the people of Barangay San Miguel are already used to floods, but the effects of the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, and the series of typhoons hitting the country have worsened their situation.

“Wala po kaming lilipatan, sir,” said George, who is a longtime resident of the barangay.

(We don't know where to move.)

Likewise, Barangay Meysulao is also submerged in neck-deep waters.

But there are some who cannot afford to get out of their flooded homes. For instance, Elmer chose to stay in his house as he cannot leave his pet dog.

However, there are caged dogs that seem to have been left behind by their owners, according to the report.

Meanwhile, residents who have to evacuate need to ride on boats to go to the evacuation center.

“Eh sabi po magagawan daw ng paraan. Eh hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin nagagawan ng paraan,” said Girlie, a resident of Barangay Meysulao. “Marami ng beses ipinangako ‘yan. Wala pong natutupad.”

(They keep on telling us that it will be resolved, but nothing has happened until now....They promised us several times, but none of it came true.)

For his part, the barangay is hoping that at least the level of the floodwaters will be lessened.

“Hindi man totally matanggal ang tubig, kahit mabawasan lang, okay na kami doon,” said Barangay Chairperson Roland Ramos.

(Even if the water can't be completely subsided, at least it can be reduced, we're okay with that.)

Calumpit Mayor Lem Faustino was criticized after she posted on social media encouraging her constituents to take a selfie in the floods in a chance for raffle entry for ayuda or aid.

But Faustino explained that the local government took care of the residents.

“Bago po kami mag-’e-ayuda’ ay una naming pinuntahan ang mga [evacuation] centers namin. So, mayroon po kaming 43,000 families na affected… Inaabot po nang personal ang aming relief goods sa aming mga binahang kababayan,” she said.

(Before the "e-ayuda", we first went to our [evacuation] centers. So, we have 43,000 families affected… We are personally delivering our relief goods to our flooded constituents.)

“Ito pong ‘e-ayuda’ na ito, siyempre po sa Facebook po namin pinost para lang maiwasan ‘yung scammers po,” the mayor added.

(We posted the "e-ayuda" on Facebook to avoid scammers.)

However, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that providing assistance during calamities “must be based on empathy, compassion, and equity.”

“Making it a game of chance, making it a competition removes all three components from the propriety of helping people during times of crisis,” he added.

The municipality of Calumpit is currently under the state of calamity. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News