Marikina City called the national government for help in rescuing stranded residents due to the catastrophe of Typhoon Ulysses, with Mayor Marcelino Teodoro admitting the lapses of the local government in responding to those in need.
Julieanne Mendoza, whose relatives need rescue, is safe in an evacuation center but is worried for her family members who are stuck on their roofs waiting for help.
She shared a live clip of her video call with her family during her interview with CNN Philippines. She said that the flood quickly rose, submerging their three-story home in Barangay Malanda, Marikina.
"May mga kamag-anak po kami na na-trap sa Malanday. Nasa bubong po sila. May mga bata pa po kasi, may bagong panganak. Sobrang bilis po kasi ng pagtaas ng tubig," she told CNN Philippines.
Mayor Teodoro shared the same description of the impact of Ulysses, saying that the effect of the typhoon was different from other cyclones, even the 2009 Tropical Storm Ondoy. He shared that the water rose quickly, even in areas that are not flood-prone.
"Napakabilis ng pangyayari. Tulad ngayon mahina na ang pag-ulan sa Marikina pero kita mo tumataas pa rin ang tubig sa ilang lugar," he added.
Moreover, Marikina authorities started forcibly evacuating residents at 3 AM near the risen Marikina River. The city's 47 evacuation centers are full, with some evacuees seeking temporary shelter in nearby homes. A number of 57 rubber boats were deployed, but resources were not enough for Teodoro to extend a hand to others who need help.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has sent only one rescue boat so far after the local chief executive asked for aid.
"Sabi ko hindi pwedeng isang team lang, napakaraming lugar na binaha... Inaasahan ko ang timely response," he said.
Teodoro held himself responsible for the slow rescue of hundreds of families in the same situation as Mendoza.
"Aminado ako na talagang nagkukulang ang pamahalaang lokal ngayon sa bagay na iyan... Inaamin ko ang pagkukulang namin sa pagkakataong ito. Hindi naman namin maipagmamalaki ito," he said.
"Tuloy-tuloy, hindi kami titigil sa rescue operations."
Words by Vina Pastrana Layout by Kiziah Magbanua
Comments