More than 24,000 residents in Barangay Cotta, Lucena City, Quezon, were affected by the widespread flooding caused by Typhoon Aghon.
The typhoon left a trail of destruction as strong winds ripped roofs off houses, battered houses, and pushed trees to the ground. Floodwaters spread heaps of mud from the Dumacaa River, which, for the first time, overflowed and flooded homes in Purok Matahimik Isla.
Linda Oliobez, one of the residents, sustained injuries in her foot after she stepped on broken glass during the storm. She said she had to wear the same clothes for four days because all her belongings got submerged in floodwaters.
"Mahirap po talaga, ayaw ko na halos, eh. Gusto ko nang mamatay para hindi na maranasan ang paghihirap niyan. Ako lahat gagawa niyan, walang tumutulong sa akin," Oliobez said.
Another resident, Marvina Gonzales, said the flood has also damaged their belongings. Her child is supposed to graduate on May 29, 2024 and the family is feeling helpless.
"Syempre malungkot ho. Hindi ko alam kung paano babangon. Mahirap po, hindi ko alam paano ide-describe. Mahirap po talaga," Gonzales said.
RESPONSE
Barangay officials have coordinated efforts to provide assistance to the residents affected.
"Inalam po namin ang pangangailangan po ng nasasakupan ng Barangay Cotta, naghahanda na po kami ng mga food pack na ibababa po namin, kasi po kahit po kami, hindi po namin in-expect na ganito po lng epekto ang nangyari sa Barangay Cotta... ngayon lang po uli, tumaas ng ganito kataas [ang ilog]," Kian Palad, the Youth Council Chairman, said.
Lucena City has declared a state of calamity due to the extensive flooding and damage.
"Base po sa data standard ng pagtatalaga ng state of calamity kasi, nasa 15 percent na po ang affected barangays sa Lucena. [Noong] Sunday pa lang kaya minabuti na pong isailalim sa state of calamity," Janet Gendrano, Lucena City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CDRRM) Officer, said.
On May 28, the GMA Kapuso Foundation distributed food packs to residents in Barangay Cotta, including Oliobez and Gonzales.
They expressed gratitude for the help, which they needed after losing most of their belongings.
The residents call for more assistance from others to start anew after the flood's devastation.
"Malaking tulong na bigay sa amin, hiling ko ay mabigyan kami ng toothbrush, pang igib dito, saka damit mga underwear po ganon dahil hindi pa po kami nakakaligo," Oliobez said.
"Kaunting tulong na lang po para sa aming binaha dito sa Lucena. Wala pong sapatos ‘yung dalawa kong anak na ga-graduate, mairaos lang ho ‘yung mga anak," Gonzales added.
The Lucena City local government continues its aid distribution efforts to residents affected by the calamity.
