Flood waters in Hagonoy, Bulacan dropped by about 12 inches in the last 24 hours, but all 26 villages remain underwater and the whole town still has no power supply since Tuesday last week. Photo by Dino Balabo
HAGONOY, Bulacan—A week after the worst flood to hit this coastal town since 1978, residents are trying to get back on their feet.
Many woke up yesterday with renewed hope as flood water subsided by over 12 inches despite heavy rains brought by typhoon Quiel on Saturday.
On Sunday, some find their way to the National Shrine of St. Anne church at the town proper here, but no mass was held as the church’s sanctuary remains under water.
Father Lon Balagtas, the church parish priest didn’t answer queries on when masses will be held again. Part of the church was used as an evacuation center.
By 8 a.m. Sunday, flooded streets were filled by residents to buy food stuffs but only few shops opened.
However, a bigger majority of residents milled in front of Maria’s mini-mart here which opened its generator sets and allowed people to re-charged their cellular phones.
This is in addition to a Meralco truck that offered free cellphone charging service.
“Boy Yamat should be given an award. Napakalaking tulong ang ibinigay niya na makapagcharge ng cellphone ang mga taga-Hagonoy,” said Max Del Rosario referring to the owner of Maria’s mini mart.
This developed, the Hagonoy Water District was able to pump drinking water to their pipelines on Saturday afternoon as diesel supply came.
This situation reduced restiveness of residents on Saturday whose drinking water supply dwindled.
Meanwhile a number of groups came to this town to extend assistance, but coordination remains chaotic due to lack of a command center.
Even Alabang Boys whistle blower Marines Major Ferdinand Marcelino, a resident of this town, along with members of the Coastguard, the Army, Philippine Marines and Army Reservists noticed the same situation and find it hard to move and extend their services.
