QC gov’t assists victims of flashfloods

The Quezon City government has deployed relief teams to assist residents affected by last Thursday’s heavy rains and flashfloods, which killed one person in Payatas and washed away several shanties in Barangay Bagong Silangan.

The lone fatality was identified as Danilo Calamba, who was pinned to death when a concrete wall collapsed on his shanty in Lupang Pangako, Payatas.

In Barangay Bagong Silangan, flashfloods destroyed 10 shanties on Wide Alley street.

Manuel Sabalza, chief of the Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), said that on orders of Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., disaster and relief teams were dispatched to Lupang Pangako and Wide Alley street to assist affected families.

"We already have teams in the area," Sabalza told The STAR.

He said as early as 4 p.m. last Thursday, disaster teams were already on standby in flood-prone areas, ready for any emergency.

He said residents along the creeks and waterways had been warned to evacuate the area, but some simply refused to leave.