Residents living along the river in Caoayan, Ilocos Sur fear for their safety after the water has reportedly started eroding the land on which their homes are built. 

“Kinakabahan na naman kami lalo pag tumataas ang tubig ng ilog," Kristel Vallejos, a resident, said.

During high tide, the water reportedly enters their houses.

The residents have used sandbags to block the water but these could only do so much. 

“Ngayon pa lang, naiisip ko na naman na mababaha kami at mahuhulog ang aming mga bahay… sana mapadali ang proyekto bago tag-ulan," Rosalinda Rabara, another resident, said.

Storms in the past have destroyed at least nine houses and damaged at least 10 others. 

Despite this, however, the residents have chosen to stay where they are.

"Nakikiusap ako nung pumunta sila [ang mga awtoridad] na hangga’t maari hindi na tatanggalin yung mga nabagyo na bahay doon kasi kawawa naman sila [na mga residente] wala na silang pupuntahan," John Quiaot, the Barangay Chairman, said.

The local government unit (LGU) has already visited the area and the Municipal Engineering Office has proposed the construction of a seawall and road. The proposed project, which costs an estimated P50 million, has been submitted to the national government for approval. 

"Bale yung prinovide natin is for [a] seawall [na] eight meters bago sila pwedeng magtayo ng structure doon, so ‘yun ‘yung provision natin, para yung kalsada natin mag-circumferential na siya papunta dito sa Pandan," Engr. Redan Aspa, Caoayan Municipal Engineer, said.