San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora on Wednesday, July 24, reported that the city government had already rescued 118 San Juaneño families or 559 individuals from being trapped in their homes due to flooding caused by non-stop torrential rains in Metro Manila.
(Photo from BFP San Juan)
“Our rescue cluster has already been activated since Monday afternoon and continues to respond to the needs of our constituents. Rescue teams have already been deployed and I ask residents who are experiencing flooding to follow the instructions of our responders,” Zamora said.
According to him, the evacuated families were already brought to the San Juan City Gym, which has been open since yesterday to accommodate displaced residents.
The gym is equipped with tents to provide temporary shelter, and evacuees are receiving debriefings from the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWD) as well as health checkups from the City Health Department (CHD).
The Philippine National Police (PNP) San Juan and the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO) are also assisting the CSWD and CHD in managing the evacuation center.
"Flood waters have reached chest-deep in some places. The most affected areas include Barangays San Perfecto, Batis, Kabayanan, and Balong Bato, where rescue operations are being spearheaded by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the San Juan Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the Philippine Coast Guard, Barangay responders, Rescue Recon/Navy Reservist, Traffic and Parking Management Office (TPMO), and the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO)/Task Force Disiplina (TFD). Prepositioned rescue boats in these high-risk areas have been deployed to expedite the evacuation and ensure that residents are brought to safety. Additionally, barangay halls and basketball courts in affected barangays have already been converted to evacuation centers, where flooded residents may seek shelter," Zamora said.
San Juan River
Meanwhile, the water level in San Juan River continue to rise and remains at a critical level of 14.34 meters as of 10:40 a.m., prompting continuous monitoring and swift action to prevent further risks to residents.
"The city government remains committed to the safety and well-being of its residents and continues to monitor the situation closely, ready to deploy additional resources as needed," Zamora assured residents.
“Nakikiusap po kami sa ating mga kababayan na agad lumikas sa ating evacuation center sa San Juan Gym hanggat hindi pa mataas ang lebel ng baha sa inyong mga lugar upang mas matutukan ng ating rescue teams ang mga residenteng stranded na sa kanilang mga bahay sa mga lugar malapit sa San Juan River (I am appealing to all our residents to please evacuate immediately to our evacuation center at the San Juan Gym while the floodwater level in your area is still manageable. This will enable our rescue teams to focus on residents who are stranded in their homes near San Juan River)," he added, urging the public to remain vigilant and updated with the news.