State of calamity in Calumpit, Malolos due to flooding

MANILA, Philippines — Malolos City and Calumpit town in Bulacan have been placed under a state of calamity amid widespread flooding caused by the southwest monsoon.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod of Malolos approved the declaration of a state of calamity on Friday based on a resolution submitted by the city disaster risk reduction and management council (CDRRMC)  headed by Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian.

The resolution noted that water rose by up to three feet in most parts of the city due to heavy rains.

In Calumpit, all of the town’s 29 barangays were reportedly inundated.

Water release from Bustos Dam and high tide aggravated flooding in the areas.

In Guiguinto, Mayor Ambrocio Cruz said its local DRRMC submitted a resolution recommending the declaration of a state of calamity, also due to widespread flooding.

At least 80,975 families or more than 200,000 people have been affected by flooding in Bulacan, according to the Central Luzon DRRMC. Around 1,500 people remain in evacuation centers.

At least 25,225 families or 34,011 people in Bataan, 57,062 families or 234,794 people in Pampanga and 372 families or 1,337 people in Zambales were affected.

A state of calamity had earlier been declared in Balanga City, Dinalupihan and Hermosa in Bataan as well as in Macabebe and Masantol in Pampanga.

In Baguio, damage to infrastructure due to monsoon rains was initially pegged at P25 million.

A person died and three others were injured while 112 families composed of 474 people took shelter in evacuation centers and other facilities. – Artemio Dumlao, Ric Sapnu