Residents of Puerto Princesa City were taken aback by the unusual knee-to waist-deep floodwater spawned by heavy rain on Sunday, February 9. For many residents, it was their first experience of widespread flooding in years, and they never imagined that, one day, they would be rescued from up to chest-high waters.
Properties and houses were inundated, forcing some residents to evacuate, with their children experiencing the trauma of their life from the situation.
This has touched Lovely Constantino, who decided to make her place available to anyone in need of shelter, particularly parents with infants. For a while, she refused to accept guests in one of her largest rooms to provide shelter to at least nine persons affected by flooding. Her place will temporarily house a mother with a baby and a family with a special child.
“During this deluge at ligtas ka at may ma-o-offer ka naman kahit sa ganitong paraan, why not, di ba? Daming may need ng shelter, meron naman kami kahit papaano kaya why not offer? Safe na sila lalo na sa may mga baby,” she said.
In these difficult times, helping those in need is more important than making money, she added. Like Constantino, many locals have voluntarily offered their help to fellow residents in the city who are in dire need.
Aside from offering their places, some also offered their vehicles as service to deliver relief goods and conduct rescue operations. LJT Car Rental offered their two vehicles on Monday night, February 10, after seeing that many residents are still stranded from their places. Even though they were also flooded, they took advantage of the chance to help others.
“Honestly, it’s because we always believe that if an opportunity comes when you can help, you should act on it because God may be using you to answer someone’s prayer,” said in a message.
According to the Puerto Princesa City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) , about 3,247 families have evacuated to 25 evacuation centers, while 2,278 families remain outside the evacuation centers. Seven of the 25 evacuation centers have closed as a result of observed improvements in conditions.
During a session on Feb. 11, the Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved a resolution declaring Puerto Princesa City under a state of calamity.
In comparison to normal rainfall, Puerto Princesa has already experienced 2,147 percent of rainfall from Feb. 7 to Feb. 10. The record-breaking rainfall was recorded on Feb. 9 with 341.7 millimeters (mm), surpassing the highest rainfall in the city’s history at 260.3 mm on December 29, 1975.
Although the weather is gradually improving, flooding is still expected in low-lying areas due to mountain showers, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Locals are continuously volunteering and helping out while floods have not yet subsided in some areas. Different organizations in academic institutions, private groups, and media companies like Palawan News initiated donation drives for monetary and in-kind support.
Also, organizations like Alpha Rho Sigma 1965 and the Philippine Red Cross have prepared hot meals for the evacuees. Academic institutions like Western Philippines University (WPU) launched a coordinated outreach effort to support affected families in Aborlan town and Puerto Princesa City and also rescued students, faculty, and staff for immediate evacuation.
Residents can also get free meals from a community open kitchen that used to operate during a pandemic.
“Let’s come together as a community in this time of need,” Munting Paraiso Palawan posted online.
Previously, the Catholic Church offered prayers for good weather and victims of the flood “so that people can return to their normal lives after experiencing a horrible flood.”
Aside from Puerto Princesa City, towns situated in the southern portion of Palawan are also hardly hit by the flooding due to the shear line.
The extent of damage and needs will be assessed once the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) has been completed by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO).
The community’s collaborative efforts complement the support given by agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development and local government units.
Despite the fact that they cannot help every resident in the city, Constantino believes that everyone contributes in some way.
“Di man kayang tulungan lahat, sana nga kayang tulungan lahat eh diba, ang mahalaga magkaroon sila talaga ng matutuluyan na comfortable sila. Buhay din kasi yan,” she said. (RG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan)
