Authorities monitoring coastal barangays

Authorities in the northern part of Metro Manila warned residents living along the shorelines and river banks to be on alert for rising water even as they reported that parts of the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela) area remain inundated.

"We are closely monitoring our shorelines and residents living in the coastal barangays were advised to be on alert," Jojo Manlapas, of the Navotas Disaster and Emergency Group, said.

Manlapas said most of Navotas’ 14 barangays are situated along the shoreline, making them more prone to disaster when typhoons hit the land.

He said that the town’s disaster coordinating council, headed by Mayor Toby Tiangco, met yesterday with the Naval Reserve Squadron and Coast Guard personnel to map out plans in case of an emergency.

"If the weather condition does not improve today, we are expecting more flooded areas," Manlapas said.

He said a high tide is expected to reach more than two meters today.

In Malabon City, Mayor Canuto "Tito" Oreta, accompanied by city engineers, inspected the flood situation in his locality early yesterday as most of the city’s 21 barangays remain affected by floods.

"At least 80 percent of Malabon is flooded. And most roads are impassable to light and heavy vehicles," Cynthia Crisostomo, of the mayor’s office, told The STAR.

Last Wednesday, authorities reported that Barangays Longos, Dampalit, Niugan, Taniong, Tugatog, Acacia, Muzon and Longos were severely affected by flooding.

Yesterday, at least four more barangays were inundated, namely: Panghulo, San Agustin, Catmon and Tinajeros.

Crisostomo said the mayor has ordered the repair of a collapsed river dike in Barangay Longos. However, more fishponds have reportedly overflowed.

The residents’ woes were compounded by the lack of electricity in most flooded areas after power was cut off.

In Valenzuela City, at least 50 families in Dulong Tangke, in Barangay Malinta, are being closely watched by authorities as the area remains under threat by a swelling Tullahan River.

"Residents have refused to evacuate, but the local government is closely monitoring the situation," Marither Menia, Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian’s public information officer, said.

In Caloocan City, Maricel Sy from the public information office said government operations in the city were unaffected despite intermittent rains.

She said Mayor Enrico Echiverri placed disaster units and rescue teams in Caloocan North and Caloocan City proper on 24-hour alert for any emergency.