Flood-hit La Union residents struggle with clean water

Floodwaters have left some residents in Luna, La Union struggling to find clean water as their usual deep wells remain submerged.

Jerome Jimenez of Barangay Rimos 5 said he had to walk through the floodwaters early in the day to collect water from another area.

“Tubig ang problema namin dito. Wala kaming tubig,” he said.

(Our problem is we don't have water.)

Some residents like Shane Bacalen have also turned to rainwater to meet their daily needs.

“Nag-urnong kami ti danom ti uran,” Bacalen said.

(We collected water from the rain.)

The local government knows about the shortage and has been sending a fire truck around affected areas each day to deliver water. Residents can also get water from the LGU's own refilling stations.

“Ang LGU po ay may sariling refilling stations, pwede po sila makakuha doon,” Luna DRRM Officer Lorenzo Consebido said.

(The LGU has its own refilling stations, they can get water there.)

The prolonged flooding has also caused skin problems among some residents.

“Mahirap, masakit. Naglalagay na ako ng cream pero wala pa rin,” Ronnel Ariola, a resident, said.

(It's hard, hurts. I am applying cream but it doesn't help.)

Consebido said residents who need medical care can visit the rural health unit, which remains open around the clock.

“Sa mga may sakit, open ang ating RHU 24/7. Mayroong mag-check sa kanila,” he said.

(To those who are sick, our RHU is open 24/7. Staff can check them.)

Authorities also have medicines ready for residents affected by the flooding.

Several homes remain flooded, while an irrigation canal overflowed and submerged rice fields.

The La Union provincial government estimates that agricultural damage has reached nearly P70 million, although officials said the amount could still rise as they continue to collect damage reports.

“Posible pang madagdagan ang amount ng damage dahil tuloy-tuloy ang consolidation ng report,” La Union Provincial Information Officer John Martin said.

(The amount of damage can rise because the consolidation of reports is continuing.)

Officials said the flooding could recede within three to four days if weather conditions improve. —Jasmin Gabriel-Galban, GMA Regional TV News