Philippines - July 26, 2024

Several residents in Bulacan Province, the Philippines said they were experiencing the most severe flood of their life in interviews with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Friday.

The Philippines has been continuously affected by Typhoon Gaemi, Typhoon Prapiroon and the southwest monsoon since July 11, the Philippines National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) stated on Saturday.

Rolando Garcia, a local shop owner, attributed the severe flooding in Bulacan to continuous rains and water from the upstream.

"It has been raining the past few days, and they released water from the dam. That's why the water levels rose very fast," he said.

As of Saturday, the floods have affected more than 3.36 million people across the country, killing residents and destroying houses.

By Friday, Typhoon Gaemi caused at least 33 deaths in the Philippines, with three people still missing. Metro Manila officials declared a state of calamity in the capital region on July 24.

"Almost hip-high floodwater penetrated and destroyed my house, which was made of plywood and was too thin, so it was easily washed away. We were rescued by a boat when the water was up to my neck. I have lived here most of my life and this is the first time I have experienced such deep flooding," said Gregorio de Rios, a local resident.

Carolina Garcia Borja, another local resident who has been relocated to a relief camp, said she lost almost all her possession in the flood.

"The water flooded my house up to my chest, and all my appliances, cupboards and chairs were swept away. I'm grateful because we have a bed and food here, which is a big help for us. We appreciate this treatment," she said.

In addition to evacuation operations, local authorities have been providing supplies for affected residents to tide over the difficulties.

"If you combine the rain volume and high tides, this is the highest flooding we have experienced here in the town of Guiguinto. Our ongoing rescue operations are spearheaded by Mayor Agatha Paula Cruz. We are distributing relief materials to the most-affected villages, such as Ilang-ilang, Poblacion and Sta. We will continue to do this until we have provided assistance to the families affected by severe flooding in their communities," said Edward John S. Mendoza, municipal social welfare development officer of Guiguinto, Bulacan.

"We are distributing relief items to the victims of the flood. The impact of Typhoon Gaemi and the southwest monsoon on our village and the entire province of Bulacan was that in just three days, almost 70 percent of the houses were flooded, and now the water is slowly receding. We are considering efforts to address flooding in our community in the future," said Manny Hoson, village chieftain of Guiguinto.

SHOTLIST:
Bulacan Province, Philippines - July 26, 2024
1. Traffic on flooded road;
2. People on flooded street;
3. SOUNDBITE (Filipino) Rolando Garcia, shop owner (ending with shot 4):
"It has been raining the past few days, and they released water from the dam. That's why the water levels rose very fast.";
4. People in flooded shop;
5. SOUNDBITE (Filipino) Gregorio de Rios, local resident (partially overlaid with shots 6-7/ending with shot 8):
"Almost hip-high floodwater penetrated and destroyed my house, which was made of plywood and was too thin, so it was easily washed away. We were rescued by a boat when the water was up to my neck. I have lived here most of my life and this is the first time I have experienced such deep flooding.";
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
6. Resident standing beside flooded road;
7. Flooded house; items floating in water;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
8. Various of traffic on flooded road;
9. SOUNDBITE (Filipino) Carolina Garcia Borja, local resident (partially overlaid with shot 10/ending with shot 11):
"The water flooded my house up to my chest, and all my appliances, cupboards and chairs were swept away. I'm grateful because we have a bed and food here, which is a big help for us. We appreciate this treatment.";
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
10. People, tents at flood relief camp;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
11. Various of people, tents at flood relief camp;
12. SOUNDBITE (Filipino) Edward John S. Mendoza, municipal social welfare development officer of Guiguinto Town (partially overlaid with shot 13):
"If you combine the rain volume and high tides, this is the highest flooding we have experienced here in the town of Guiguinto. Our ongoing rescue operations are spearheaded by Mayor Agatha Paula Cruz. We are distributing relief materials to the most-affected villages, such as Ilang-ilang, Poblacion and Sta. We will continue to do this until we have provided assistance to the families affected by severe flooding in their communities.";
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
13. Various of people in flooded community, on flooded road;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
14. SOUNDBITE (Filipino) Manny Hoson, village chieftain of Guiguinto Town (partially overlaid with shots 15-16):
"We are distributing relief items to the victims of the flood. The impact of Typhoon Gaemi and the southwest monsoon on our village and the entire province of Bulacan was that in just three days, almost 70 percent of the houses were flooded, and now the water is slowly receding. We are considering efforts to address flooding in our community in the future.";
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
15. Residents queuing for relief supplies;
16. Workers distributing supplies to residents;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
17. Boy wading through water.

[Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]