Once again, the resolve of the Biñanense to weather (literally) calamities was put to the test when severe tropical storm “Kristine” battered Laguna province last October 24.
But once again, residents of Biñan City who were forced to face the dangers of heavy flood and strong winds were reassured: that the city government, led by Mayor Arman Dimaguila, is more than ready to provide them assistance, both during and after the storm.
And for Dimaguila, who personally supervised the rescue and relief operations at a time when “Kristine” was in its strongest, the biggest proof of the city’s readiness to tackle the challenges of the storm is the fact that the city reported zero casualties during “Kristine’s” onslaught.
“Hindi kami na-kuntento sa ‘monitoring’ lang; kailangan na makita tayo ng mga kababayan natin na narito tayo sa oras ng kanilang pangangailangan,” was how Dimaguila himself put it in an interview with OpinYon Laguna.
Advance preparations
As early as Tuesday, October 22, Dimaguila said that he, along with the Biñan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), and other concerned government agencies, were already monitoring “Kristine” as they saw the devastating impact of the storm in the Bicol region a few days before it hit Laguna.
Vice Mayor Gel Alonte and Representative Len Alonte also joined in monitoring the situation, while the vice mayor joined Dimaguila in personally supervising rescue and relief efforts in affected barangays.
"Ang main concern natin ay mga residente ng mga barangay ng Dela Paz at Malaban – dahil sa nasanay na sila na bumabaha sa kanilang lugar, marami sa kanila ang medyo bantulot sa idea ng pre-emptive evacuation,” the city mayor confided.
In order to ensure the swift rescue of any persons that might need assistance, Dimaguila said the city government has activated the rescue forces of the city’s 24 barangays, particularly the “high-area” barangays, to deliver assistance to barangays near the coastline of Laguna de Bay.
“Gayong nahirapan pa rin kami dahil rumaragasa ang tubig, lahat ng kailangan nating i-rescue ay na-rescue naman natin dahil nakahanda na ang ating C3 Command Center. Kahit nawalan ng kuryente sa ibang bahagi ng lungsod natin ay may generator pa rin tayo, so namo-monitor pa rin natin ang mga nangyayari sa labas,” he added.
Swift declaration
Meanwhile, the Sangguniang Panglungsod led by Vice Mayor Gel Alonte also delivered, with its speedy declaration of a “state of calamity” over the entire city on Friday, October 25, as per City Resolution No. 76-2024.
The city of Biñan was one of the first LGUs in the province of Laguna to declare a “state of calamity,” before the provincial government imposed its own declaration on Monday, October 28.
“This resolution includes authorizing the utilization of the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund (LDRRMF), allowing the city government to allocate resources towards emergency infrastructure repairs, clearing operations, public health interventions, and the provision of assistance to displaced residents and affected businesses,” the resolution stated.
According to data provided by the Biñan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMO), as reflected in City Resolution No. 76-2024, 20 out of 24 barangays in Biñan City were affected by severe flooding at the height of “Kristine’s” onslaught.
Most of these barangays are either those along the banks of the Biñan River or near the coast of Laguna de Bay.
Residents affected
Additionally, 1,233 families, or 4,896 individuals, were rushed to different evacuation centers in the city – not an easy task as the heavy floods made rescue even more difficult.
A viral video posted by the Biñan CDRRMO on their social media page showed rescuers resorting to launching ropes to assist affected residents through the surging waters on Thursday night.
On the other hand, a total of 68,926 families, or 410,062 individuals, remained inside their homes at the height of the storm, choosing not to evacuate.
“Ang naging challenge po natin sa bagyong ‘Kristine’ ay kahit malayo po ang sentro ng bagyo sa Laguna province noong mag-landfall ito, napakalaking epekto pa rin nito sa ating lungsod,” officials of the Biñan CDRRMO told OpinYon Laguna.
Despite being “surprised” by the intensity of the rain and flood brought by “Kristine,” local DRRM officials said that they conduct regular training and activities to prepare their staff for worst-case scenarios, enabling them to brave the sudden rush of water during the storm’s height.
“Patuloy po ang pagmo-monitor natin dito sa C3 Command Center; 24/7 po tayong nakatutok sa sitwasyon sa tulong ng mga CCTV camera na naka-deploy po sa iba’t ibang lugar sa ating lungsod. At sa panahon naman po ng kalamidad, ina-activate naman po ni Mayor Dimaguila, as local chief executive, ang lahat ng rescue forces, kabilang na ang Philippine National Police (PNP) at Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) upang tumulong kung kinakailangan,” officials explained further.
Flood control
The lessons learned from “Kristine” have provided officials of the city government valuable opportunities to strengthen Biñan’s capabilities to withstand future weather disturbances, officials told OpinYon Laguna.
Dimaguila, for one, is advocating for the dredging of the Laguna de Bay to increase its capacity and reduce the risk of Biñan City’s coastal barangays being submerged in floodwaters that take days or even months to recede.
“Actually, kapag dinredge natin ang Laguna de Bay, iyon na ang magandang flood control na pwede nating gawin,” the city executive explained.
Meanwhile, other city officials are looking into putting up gateways at the city's main waterways, as well as continuing dredging operations along the Biñan River (with the assistance of San Miguel Corporation, which has conducted regular dredging operations starting this year).
"We're also looking for coordinating with other cities such as in Cavite, especially since doon nanggagaling ang tubig na bumababa sa lungsod natin tuwing masama ang panahon,” officials of the Biñan CDRRMO added.
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