3 Laguna towns placed under state of calamity

MANILA, Philippines - The towns of Sta. Rosa, Biñan, and San Pedro in Laguna were placed under state of calamity by local officials due to the massive flooding brought about by the incessant downpour on Monday. Mayor Arlene Arcillas of Sta. Rosa said rescue personnel have evacuated scores from low-lying and coastal communities to higher grounds after flood water submerged these areas. "Puno na rin mga school at ibang evacuation center...may mga area na 'di mapasok.Ang pinakamababa ay hanggang baywang at pinakamataas ay abot hanggang bahay nila kaya nandoon sila sa itaas ng bubong," Arcillas said in a radio interview. Arcillas cited that 15 out of the 18 barangays in Sta. Rosa have been flooded due to the heavy downpour since Sunday night. "Sabi ko sa mga tao, maghintay lang. Huwag muna lumabas," she said, noting that boats or large dump trucks are needed to get to places where flood waters are high. Arcillas said many factory workers and pesonnel have also been stranded in Brgy. Balibago owing to floods. She said the priority of the local government is to rescue those who are stranded or trapped in floods. Arcillas said Sta. Rosa is a catch basin during heavy downpour. Meanwhile, San Pedro mayor Lourdes Cataquiz said the local government has started rescue efforts for constituents who have been stranded or trapped in their houses due to floods. "(This is) worse than Ondoy. Napakadaming nagsarang area," Cataquiz said.