Seventeen of 19 towns in Pampanga are now submerged in floodwaters as persistent rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, continue to inundate communities across the province, Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda said Monday.
In an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos on Aug. 31, Pineda said only Magalang and Mabalacat remain unaffected by the flooding, while water levels continue to rise in several other areas.
“Halos labing-pitong bayan na kasi [ang baha], parang paakyat yung baha,” Pineda said.
She noted that areas that were not previously prone to severe flooding, including the provincial capital San Fernando, Angeles City, Floridablanca, and Porac, are now experiencing flooding.
According to Pineda, the prolonged flooding is partly due to siltation in rivers, which prevents water from flowing efficiently toward Manila Bay.
“Kasi yung mga river kasi hindi na makababa... hindi na ma-push yung tubig nila sa Manila Bay dahil silted na... Nag-overflow na. Kaya sila naglumulubog na rin, bumabaha na rin,” she said, adding that the water instead remains in upstream areas, causing rivers to overflow.
She said the flooding has persisted for nearly three weeks, with some communities experiencing water reaching chest- to waist-deep levels.
“First time kasi nangyari ito na matagal yung tubig, hanggang dibdib, hanggang bewang,” Pineda said, noting that in previous flooding incidents, water would usually subside once the tide receded.
Pineda also described Pampanga as a downstream area that receives water from surrounding areas, including the mountains of Zambales and other upstream communities.
She said the unusually high volume of water has also damaged dikes and rivers in the province.
Pineda said 17,300 residents are currently staying in evacuation centers, while around 4,600 families have been affected by the flooding. The figures do not include residents who remain in their homes, particularly those staying on upper floors.
Amid the prolonged flooding, Pineda said she convened an emergency meeting with mayors and representatives from electricity and water providers to discuss the continued delivery of essential services and safety measures.
She said local officials are also coordinating with water districts to ensure that water supplies remain available, while electricity providers are being urged to issue warnings to residents in flooded communities to prevent accidents.
Pineda also called on hospitals and the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Luzon to prepare for possible increases in water-related illnesses, including leptospirosis and dengue.
The governor said the provincial government would need additional support from national agencies, particularly for medical supplies and other emergency needs.
Food supplies remain adequate, Pineda said, citing support from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
She added that the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Army have also been deployed for rescue operations, while the OCD central office is expected to provide additional assistance to Pampanga.
