17 Laguna towns remain flooded

LAGUNA, Philippines – At least 17 towns and municipalities in this province remained underwater three weeks after continuous monsoon rains struck Metro Manila and parts of Luzon, an official of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 4-A said yesterday.

Vicente Tomazar, RDRRMC head, said several barangays in San Pedro, Biñan, Cabuyao, Calamba City and Sta. Rosa are still submerged in floodwaters compounded by the swelling of the Laguna de Bai.

Tomazar said the municipalities of Los Baños, Bay, Victoria, Pila, Sta. Cruz, Lumban, Paete, Pakil, Pangil, Siniloan, Mabitac and Kalayaan remained flooded.

He said barangays San Antonio, Poblacion, Sto. Niño, Landayan, Cuyab and San Roque, all in San Pedro City are still flooded.

Hundreds of residents are still housed in several evacuation centers in the province, Tomazar said.

According to the affected residents, it would take three months before the water subsides.

The local government led by Gov. Jeorge “ER” Ejercito has been distributing relief goods to the residents. 

The Laguna Police Community Relations Division has launched a fund-raising campaign dubbed as “ Mula sa Puso Ng Pulis” to help poor families displaced by flooding.