At least eight barangays in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi have experienced flooding following heavy rains brought about by the easterlies and the shear line on Monday, January 27, 2025.

The barangays affected were Lapid-lapid, Sanga-Sanga, Pahut, Pasiagan, Nalil, Poblacion, Pag-asa, and Tubig-Boh.

According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the floodwaters came from the uplands down to the barangays and rose due to clogged drainages and canals.

Personnel of the Ministry of Basic, Higher and Technical Education (MBTHE) had to bore a hole on the wall of a Department of Education (DepEd) building in Barangay Poblacion to release the floodwaters stuck inside the building.

“Pagpasok niya ng DepEd compound, nag-stock na kasi madami ding basura plus yung water, yung volume, medyo madami-dami so they have to create a hole doon sa fence ng MBHTE, concrete fence para mag exit siya papuntang Bongao market,” MDRRMO Officer, Al Gibran, said.

Motorists also had a hard time crossing the streets due to floodwaters.

MDRRMO said no one was hurt during the flooding.

Residents said it was the first time that the town experienced severe flooding.

“It’s the first time na grabe yung volume ng tubig ng ulan plus yung baha. Parang it’s unusual sa Bongao na magkaroon kasi lahat ng tubig namin, e-exit yan siya ng dagat pero yung lang maybe because of the canals that are stocked pero nag-subside naman agad,” Gibran added.