When it rains, it floods. And for residents of Barangay Poblacion in Mangaldan, Pangasinan, that’s become an all-too-familiar problem, thanks to a shallow and trash-filled creek.

Every rainy season, San Jose Creek overflows, causing concern for residents and barangay officials.

The problem is the piles of trash and layers of soil make the creek shallow and unable to handle heavy rain.

Barangay officials, residents, and volunteer groups have started a cleanup drive to deepen and clear the creek.

They aim to finish the job in two weeks—before the rainy season begins.

Barangay councilman Jose Fabia, who chairs the Committee on Communication, shared how serious the situation is.

“Kasi doon sa part na ‘yun kapag umulan lang talagang binabaha na. Kapag umagos kasi ang tubig at may mga nakabara na basura maging stagnant ang tubig talagang aapaw ang tubig,” he said.

Residents are also doing their part, understanding the risk that stagnant water poses not just for flooding but for health.

“Para dadaloy ang tubig, aagos kasi aapaw ‘yan kung hindi dadaloy,” Melinda Salcedo, a resident, said.

Aside from flood prevention, the cleanup also aims to stop the creek from becoming a mosquito breeding ground.

The barangay has also stepped up patrols to stop people from throwing garbage into the creek.