El Nido, Palawan, has been placed under a state of calamity after the number of its flooded barangays rose to eight.
The state of calamity was declared yesterday (Friday, July 27) Jerry Alili, chief of Palawan’s Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, confirmed today.
Mr Alili said several families have already been evacuated from Villa Libertad, Bucana, Apurawan and Masagana.
He told the Philippine News Agency that the number of flooded barangays rose from five yesterday to eight today due to non-stop rain since Thursday evening.
“There were evacuees, but some of them have slowly returned to their homes since rain is no longer heavy like Thursday night and Friday. We have figures, but these are not confirmed because we are still waiting for barangays officials to send us their reports,” he said.
The Coast Guard Substation El Nido, under Ensign Harvey Marmol, also reported that they have deployed a response team early today to Barangay New Ibajay, where the flood has been waist-deep since yesterday morning.
This was because of stranded residents, tourists and tour guides they saw waving and asking for help.
They successfully helped five stranded tourists and three tour guides in Nagkalitkalit Falls in Pasadena and provided assistance to about 40 tourists who were also stranded on Nacpan Beach, Barangay Bucana, due to a bridge that was destroyed by the flood.
In New Ibajay, the coast guard aided an estimated 60 evacuees, whose homes had been waterlogged, at a temporary shelter.
“All rescued tourists and residents are in good physical condition,” the coast guard report said.
Alili noted the road at Zones 2 and 3 of Bucana were impassable as of 7.25am today, two houses and a boat had been washed away in Calitang also in Bucana, the road between Barangay Sibaltan and Barangay San Fernando was inaccessible, and a water irrigation collapsed in Barangay Barotuan.
“Right now, clearing operations are ongoing to remove fallen trees and other debris to make them passable,” he said.
He added that 300 food packs were ready to be distributed to affected families. Heavy equipment, a rescue vehicle with rubber boats and additional speedboats had also been requisitioned.
Alili said the flooding had taken residents by surprise as they only expected it to happen during typhoons.
“We have ambulances too, with us, for any emergency. People here were surprised since they only expect this kind of flooding when there are typhoons. They didn’t realise that continuous heavy rains for two days or more can cause floods in their areas,” he added.
Since yesterday, the Bantay El Nido has been appealing for people to send food and other relief supplies to residents displaced by the flooding.
Aram dela Cruz, its founder, said he has been making requests for rice, noodles, used clothing and other forms of assistance for the evacuees on social media.
“Your help is needed now for our town folks affected by the flood. We are accepting donations – food, noodles, rice, and used clothing,” he said.
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