More than 1,000 residents remain in evacuation centers in Calasiao as floods continued to indundate homes, particularly in riverside barangays for days.

Among the evacuees is Carmen Calaunan, an elderly, with her 10-year-old grandchild. They left their home in Barangay Talibaew after floodwaters rose quickly.

“Wala kaming matulugan, kasama ko yung apo ko. Kung may matulugan lang ako, hindi ako magpupunta rito kasi mahirap eh,” she said.

Ara Tuliao, who has been in the evacuation center for three days with her family and one-year-old baby, said she worried about her child’s cough.

“Dito po, nag-iikot-ikot lang po dito sa evacuation center… Opo [baha pa rin, hanggang] sa dibdib,” Tuliao said.

To ensure order and hygiene, authorities at the Calasiao Sports Complex conduct routine cleanups.

“Every 30 minutes, pinagroround ko sila, pinaglalinis. Number one, CR. Dapat malinis,” Art Eustaquio, officer-in-charge of the complex, said.

The Municipal Health Office (MHO) has been monitoring the health of evacuees, especially children and pregnant women.

“Binabantayan namin yung kanilang kalusugan lalo na yung mga bata, buntis, at lahat… Hindi lang naman sa loob kundi may mga pumupunta rin dito na ibang barangay na binabaha na kumukuha ng mga gamot para sa leptospirosis,” Josephine Palma of the Calasiao MHO, said.

To ease stress, evacuees were treated to singing, games, and a magic show for children.

The Municipal DRRMO reported that evacuees are still advised not to return home.

“Nandito pa rin silang lahat kasi malalim pa rin, malalim pa rin po, umaapaw pa rin ang atin Sinocalan River,” Zaldy Malit, LDRRMO IV of the Calasiao DRRM Office, said.