Floodwaters continue to rise in Barangay Anolid in Mangaldan, Pangasinan, leaving residents trapped in their homes, short on food, and waiting for government aid as days of nonstop rain turn daily survival into a struggle.

Residents like John Patrick Biagtan were forced to bring even their pets inside the house to keep them safe from the water.

“Mas tumataas ang baha sa amin. Ang hirap kasi ‘yung mga gamit namin talagang kailangang itaas namin,” Biagtan said.

The rising floodwaters, made worse by continuous rainfall, have made life more difficult for families who are now also facing a food supply problem.

Without enough money and with limited access to stores, residents are left with no choice but to wade through floodwaters to buy food.

“Kung hindi kami lulusong at bibili, wala din kaming kakainin,” Dianne Aguilar, a resident, said.

As the situation enters its third day, residents are growing more desperate and are still waiting for relief assistance from the government.

“Sana dumating na ang ayuda. Wala pa kasi kaming natatanggap na pagkain,” Nenita Bianan, a resident, said.

“Sana nga mayroon na. Sabi nila magbibigay ata mamaya,” Victoria Albopera, another resident, added.

Barangay officials are now considering declaring a state of calamity in Anolid to access emergency funds for food and other needs.

“Pag-aaralan natin at pag-uusapan sa council kung paanong sosolusyunan ang assistance. Kapag ganito naman, puwede na tayong mag-declare,” Barangay Chairwoman Marissa Honsayco said.

Meanwhile, the Mangaldan Mayor has urged barangay leaders to use their respective disaster funds to support families affected severely by the flooding.