Over 17K Pampanga residents in evacuation centers due to flooding — Pineda

Around 17,300 residents in Pampanga have been moved to 270 evacuation centers as severe, prolonged flooding continues to affect the province, Governor Lilia Pineda said Monday.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Pineda said the figure represents 4,622 families and does not include residents who remain in their homes despite the flooding.

The governor described the flooding as unprecedented for some areas in Pampanga, noting that even places that normally do not experience flooding have now been affected.

“Kakaiba talaga ito, Ngayon lang naman talaga namin naranasan. Pumapanhik, pati yung matatas na lugar nadadamay na kasi nagba-backflow 'yung tubig dahil hindi nga makalabas sa Manila Bay,” she said.

“So talagang ang San Fernando, magba-backflow 'yan dahil hindi na sila makababa dahil puno na 'yung Macabebe, Masantol, 'yung mga nasa downstream natin. So 'yung Florida, mataas din 'yan, 'yung Porac pero nagkakaroon na rin sila ng tubig. Nag-overflow 'yung mga river nila,” she added.

Also, San Simon has been heavily flooded, affecting several barangays and portions of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

Pineda said efforts to pump out floodwaters in San Simon have been difficult because the water simply circulates in the area instead of draining.

Authorities were also concerned about residents who continue to refuse evacuation.

She said the provincial government would coordinate with mayors and barangay officials to prioritize the evacuation of children, sick residents, senior citizens, and bedridden individuals.

Pineda also said she would meet with the Office of Civil Defense, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health, and local power cooperatives to discuss the effects of the prolonged flooding, including electrical safety in submerged communities.

She urged residents to heed government warnings and prepare emergency plans for their families.

“Ang una po muna talaga, ang makakapagpigil 'yung ating Panginoon. Magdasal po tayo kasi po kalamidad na hindi naman natin kagustuhan.So sana po makinig lang po kayo sa mga abiso, pag may warning sumunod po tayo,” she said.

“Hindi ninyo puwede pong iasa sa gobyerno lahat. Dahil sa kadami po natin lahat, kailangan may plano rin kayo sa pamilya ninyo para ligtas po ang mga pamilya ninyo,” she added.

Hardest-hit province

Meanwhile, interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, OCD Region 3 information officer Raymond Garcia Pampanga is the hardest-hit province in Central Luzon amid widespread flooding.

Garcia said Pampanga recorded 327 flooded barangays out of 608 across Central Luzon and around 95% of San Simon town was reportedly submerged in floods.

“Ang Pampanga po ang maituturing natin na parang hardest hit dito po sa Gitnang Luzon ngayon. Kasi po pagdating po sa flooded area sila po ang nakapagtala ng pinakamaraming flooded barangays dito po sa Central Luzon,” he said.

(Pampanga can be considered as the hardest-hit in Central Luzon due to the sheer number of flooded barangays in the region.)

Meanwhile, Garcia said Bulacan ranked second in the region in terms of the number of flooded areas and affected residents, followed by Tarlac.

In Zambales, two communities in San Marcelino and Santa Cruz have been reported isolated after bridges connecting them were damaged by strong floodwaters. —AOL/RSJ, GMA News