Latest news with #Saksi
GMA Network
24-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
Some Calumpit residents hop on boats amid neck-deep floods
Residents in some parts of Calumpit, Bulacan have to use boats on the streets amid the neck-deep floods brought by the inclement weather. In JP Soriano's report in 'Saksi' on Thursday, the people of Barangay San Miguel are already used to floods, but the effects of the Southwest Monsoon, or Habagat, and the series of typhoons hitting the country have worsened their situation. 'Wala po kaming lilipatan, sir,' said George, who is a longtime resident of the barangay. (We don't know where to move.) Likewise, Barangay Meysulao is also submerged in neck-deep waters. But there are some who cannot afford to get out of their flooded homes. For instance, Elmer chose to stay in his house as he cannot leave his pet dog. However, there are caged dogs that seem to have been left behind by their owners, according to the report. Meanwhile, residents who have to evacuate need to ride on boats to go to the evacuation center. 'Eh sabi po magagawan daw ng paraan. Eh hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin nagagawan ng paraan,' said Girlie, a resident of Barangay Meysulao. 'Marami ng beses ipinangako 'yan. Wala pong natutupad.' (They keep on telling us that it will be resolved, but nothing has happened until promised us several times, but none of it came true.) For his part, the barangay is hoping that at least the level of the floodwaters will be lessened. 'Hindi man totally matanggal ang tubig, kahit mabawasan lang, okay na kami doon,' said Barangay Chairperson Roland Ramos. (Even if the water can't be completely subsided, at least it can be reduced, we're okay with that.) Calumpit Mayor Lem Faustino was criticized after she posted on social media encouraging her constituents to take a selfie in the floods in a chance for raffle entry for ayuda or aid. But Faustino explained that the local government took care of the residents. 'Bago po kami mag-'e-ayuda' ay una naming pinuntahan ang mga [evacuation] centers namin. So, mayroon po kaming 43,000 families na affected… Inaabot po nang personal ang aming relief goods sa aming mga binahang kababayan,' she said. (Before the "e-ayuda", we first went to our [evacuation] centers. So, we have 43,000 families affected… We are personally delivering our relief goods to our flooded constituents.) 'Ito pong 'e-ayuda' na ito, siyempre po sa Facebook po namin pinost para lang maiwasan 'yung scammers po,' the mayor added. (We posted the "e-ayuda" on Facebook to avoid scammers.) However, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that providing assistance during calamities 'must be based on empathy, compassion, and equity.' 'Making it a game of chance, making it a competition removes all three components from the propriety of helping people during times of crisis,' he added. The municipality of Calumpit is currently under the state of calamity. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
23-07-2025
- Climate
- GMA Network
Areas under state of calamity due to Habagat, storms
People on board a truck are evacuated out of a flooded village following monsoon rains in Cainta, Rizal, July 22, 2025. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez/File photo There are several areas that have been placed under the State of Calamity due to the adverse effects of the southwest monsoon or Habagat and the tropical storms, according to a report on "Saksi" Wednesday. The areas under the State of Calamity are as follows: Metro Manila Malabon Marikina Manila Las Piñas Quezon City Bulacan Meycauayan City Paombong Rizal Cainta Rodriguez San Mateo Cavite Naic Batangas Agoncillo Pangasinan Dagupan City Calasiao Lingayen Malasiqui Sta. Barbara Mangaldan Tarlac Paniqui Visayas: Antique Barbaza Sebaste Cebu Cebu City — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
23-07-2025
- Health
- GMA Network
Over 41,000 families in Calumpit affected by floods
More than 41,000 families in Calumpit, Bulacan are affected by the floods caused by the nonstop rains brought by the southwest monsoon or habagat and Tropical Storm Emong. According to Nico Waje's report in 'Saksi' on Wednesday, residents find ways to perform their day-to-day activities despite the situation. In Barangay Calizon, residents brave the floods just to get free sacks of rice and other aid from the local government. 'Medyo hirap ngayon dahil maraming hindi nakakapaghanap-buhay, kaya medyo hirap ang Barangay Calizon,' said Councilor Jonjon Gonzales. But there are some who cannot afford to be absent in their work and they wade through flooded streets. 'Ngayon ang pasok ko ay alas otso. Kailangan maaga akong makaalis para may masakyan pa po,' said factory worker Emmanuel Salonga. (Today I have work at eight. I need to leave early so I can catch a ride.) The town of Calumpit does not easily get flooded even when the Pampanga River is on high tide. But the water level rises when both the Ipo and Bustos dams release water, the report said. The flood is also an inconvenience to those who are in need of medical treatment such as Monico Esponilla, who has to bring his wife to her sibling's house for an easier travel so she can have dialysis treatment. 'Yung misis ko dina-dialysis tatlong beses sa isang linggo. Kaya nilipat ko rito kasi bukas, alas kwatro y medya, punta kami sa ospital,' he said. (My wife is on dialysis three times a week. So I moved her here because tomorrow, at four-thirty, we're going to the hospital.) The Calumpit government is now asking the national government to help them address the flooding in the town. 'Dito po sa amin sa pamahalaang bayan ng Calumpit, sa lokal, ang magagawa po namin is magkaroon po kami ng pumping station. Pero kailangan namin ng tulong ng nation, especially ng DPWH, para makulong ang kailogan namin. Kasi kapag nakulong ang kailogan namin, pwede tayo maglagay ng pumping stations,' said Mayor Lem Faustino. (Here in the Calumpit municipal government, locally, all we can do is have a pumping station. But we need the help of the nation, especially the DPWH, to contain our water from the river. Because when the water from our river is contained, we can put up pumping stations.) — Vince Angelo Ferreras/BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
17-06-2025
- GMA Network
Missing OFW found dead in desert in Saudi Arabia
An overseas Filipino worker was found dead in the desert in Saudi Arabia after he went missing for four days. According to Jonathan Andal's report on "Saksi," Juljirri Aggong was reportedly the victim of a hit-and-run. "Na-hit-and-run siya ng kotse. And that caused fatal injuries... 'Yung reported incident is June 11," said Overseas Workers Welfare Administration administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan. She said the incident happened at 12:31 p.m. on the King Salman Eastbound Road at a non-designated pedestrian crossing. Caunan said the vehicle had been identified, along with its license plate and driver. The OWWA will try to get a copy of the CCTV footage of the incident. It also has a lawyer in Riyadh to help with the case. "Hustisya lang po. 'Yan lang po yung panawagan namin. Hindi po ito pwedeng maging kwento lang na walang hustisya," said Mhaie Aggong, a cousin of the victim. "Marami pa po tayong mga kababyaan doon. Pag hindi po ito inaksyunan lang sigurado may susunod pa," he added. Mhaie said Aggong was a good person. He wanted to work in Saudi Arabia to help his family. The victim hailed from Jolo, Sulu, and was the eldest among siblings. He had been working as an office and facility cleaner in Riyadh for six months. Aggong's family will have him buried in Riyadh, according to Muslim tradition. The OWWA said it would pursue the case to get justice for the migrant worker. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
16-06-2025
- GMA Network
P6.8M worth of suspected shabu found in waters off Ilocos Norte
A fisherman found another plastic bag containing suspected shabu worth P6.8 million drifting in the waters of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte. In a 'Saksi' report on Monday, the fisherman thought the plastic bag contained chocolate because the container looked nice. Upon inspection, authorities found that the plastic bag was labeled 'durian' with some foreign writings. They have yet to know the origin of the suspected shabu. Authorities said the suspected shabu is the same as the ones found in Currimao, Paoay, and Laoag City. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
