While it was true that Lagunenses were caught off-guard by the devastating effects of tropical storm Paeng last October 29, what was more remarkable was the brand of leadership that emerged after this tragedy.
Once again, certain local leaders in Laguna province demonstrated that rare proactive and decisive leadership.
We’re talking about Laguna 1st District Representative Ann Matibag and Biñan City Mayor Arman Dimaguila, who once again performed above and beyond their duty in the immediate aftermath of Paeng.
In San Pedro City, it was Representative Ann Matibag who immediately sent help to residents through the distribution of relief packs, through the assistance of House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other congressmen.
Matibag also distributed coconut lumber and other materials for the construction of temporary walkways in areas in San Pedro City, particularly Barangays Cuyab, San Roque and Landayan, that are still flooded.
“Wala man pong calamity fund ang inyong LaguNanay, bumubuhos ang biyaya sa ating bayan mula sa mga assistance ng national agencies, House of Representatives at private groups na ating pinagsumikapang lapitan at hingan ng donasyon. Gayundin, ako po ay nagbahagi ng sarili kong sweldo upang madagdagan ang mga paayuda sa ating mga kababaya,” Matibag said on her Facebook page.
Biñan City, under the leadership of Mayor Dimaguila and Vice Mayor Gel Alonte, not only dispatched relief goods to affected residents but also built temporary walkways in barangays affected by flooding. (See story on page 8).
Hampered rescue efforts
These officials’ speedy response to the needs of their constituents have served as a balm for many Lagunenses who were caught off-guard by the unexpected ferocity of tropical storm Paeng as it lashed through the province on a Saturday night.
In many areas in the cities of San Pedro, Biñan and Sta. Rosa, there were reports of residents who had to call out for rescue after being trapped inside their residence due to the rising floodwaters.
Three major rivers in Laguna’s first district – the Biñan River, the Silang-Sta. Rosa River, and the San Isidro River in San Pedro City – overflowed from their banks, sending not only floodwaters but also mud and tons of garbage into the cities’ major streets.
In San Pedro City, social media spaces of government agencies were inundated with calls from help from residents of Barangays Cuyab, San Antonio, San Roque and Landayan, whose proximity to the Laguna de Bay have made them especially vulnerable during the rainy season.
Even the San Pedro District Hospital in Barangay San Antonio, which was located near a creek alongside the South Luzon Expressway in a low-lying area, was also flooded, causing patients and hospital personnel to evacuate.
Rescue efforts were also reportedly delayed after many rescue workers were unable to pass through these flooded areas due to high waters raging through the streets.
Assessed damages, deaths
As of press time, local disaster risk reduction and management offices (DRRMOs) have yet to release data on the actual effects of typhoon Paeng in Laguna province.
Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Thursday (November 3) that it is still verifying reports of 33 deaths from the effects of the storm in the Calabarzon region.
These include at least two residents from Biñan City, Laguna who reportedly fell into a creek along the Pragmatic area in Barangay Zapote during the height of the typhoon.
As of press time, the Biñan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) is still conducting search and retrieval operations for the missing residents.
There were also reports of casualties in San Pedro City, where a resident was carried away by raging waters in a creek in Barangay San Antonio, and in Calamba City, where a resident in Barangay Parian was crushed after a few houses collapsed due to the storm.
The NDRRMC also reported that 1,131,409 families, consisting of 3,963,555 persons, were affected by Paeng across the country.
Damages to infrastructure in the region were reported to be at P967.09 million, the highest among areas affected by Paeng.
Meanwhile, train services of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) between Laguna and Quezon province were halted after the storm incurred damage on the rail line due to falling trees and other debris.
The railway bridge along the Biñan River in Barangay San Vicente also became almost unrecognizable in the immediate aftermath of the typhoon due to the tons of garbage that piled up on the bridge.
As of press time, railway service is limited to train trips between Biñan City, Laguna and Metro Manila.
However, almost all obstructions were removed from major streets in the cities of San Pedro, Biñan and Sta. Rosa by October 31, in time for the much-anticipated return of the traditional visitation to cemeteries on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2.
State of calamity declaration
The city of San Pablo, where the eye of Paeng directly passed through, was the first to declare a state of calamity on October 30 after it was reported that 33 barangays were affected by the storm.
This was rapidly followed by the cities of Biñan, San Pedro and Sta. Rosa, whose city councils immediately convened special sessions that Sunday morning to release the necessary funds for relief and rehabilitation efforts.
Three days later, on November 2, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. declared a blanket State of Calamity over the entire Calabarzon region, among other areas in the Philippines, to hasten rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts by both the public and private sectors.
“All departments and other concerned government agencies are also directed to coordinate with the LGUs to provide or augment the basic services and facilities of affected areas,” read the proclamation signed for the President by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.