Evacuees in the Province of Isabela are welcomed by the impact of flooding brought about by previous typhoons as they return to their houses amid the receding floodwater.
Aside from thick mud accumulated due to flooding, some palay in Barangay Sipay were damaged while roads in low-lying areas remain submerged.
“Ganito na naman po ang nangyari sa amin. Marami pong kabuhayan, hindi pa po kami totally nakabangon. Ang hirap po talaga (This happened to us again. Many livelihoods [were lost]. We have not yet fully recovered. This is hard for us),” resident Elizabeth Pagulayan shared.
Residents are now appealing for clean drinking water and food.
Latest data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) show that around 66,000 families have been affected.
Isabela PDRRMO assured that relief operations to affected families are ongoing. The Provincial Government of Isabela also appealed to do away from the blame game on the flooding incident
“Kung ‘di sila magre-release ng tubig, mas malaking sakuna ang mangyayari ‘pag pumutok ‘yung dam (If they will not release water, a bigger disaster will take place if the dam breaks),” Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano III said. – Report from Daniel Manalastas
