Residents of Sitio Payar in Barangay Poblacion Oeste in Dagupan City said flooding has become part of their daily lives, especially during high tide.

Every day, Nelia Robosa cleans up the dark and foul-smelling water that enters their home, while her cousin Jhing Robosa clears garbage carried by the floods.

“Nagbobota kami parati rito. Siyempre, magtiyaga na lang kung ano-anong puwedeng gawing solusyon,” Nelia said.

Jhing said the barangay provides them with medicine against leptospirosis.

“Meron namang binibigay from barangay na gamot kontra leptospirosis,” she said.

Although no leptospirosis cases have been recorded in the area, residents said many suffer from skin infections like athlete’s foot, especially those who wade in the flood without boots. Barangay health workers also monitor possible diarrhea cases.

Barangay health workers and nurses distribute preventive medicine house-to-house.

“House-to-house po. ‘Yung pag-inom nila, dapat may laman ‘yung tiyan. ‘Yung 2 tablets, effective na po for 1 week,” Roda Andongo, BHW president of Barangay Poblacion Oeste, said.

Dagupan City health officer, Dr. Julita de Venecia, assured residents that the Department of Health and the local government are providing support.

“Diretso naman po. Inaalalayan kami ng DOH at LGU. Maagap. Kung sinabi namin na kailangan, puwede silang magbigay,” she said.

Despite the assistance, residents remain worried that prolonged floods could put their community at risk of more serious health problems.