House collapses into swollen river in Quezon City

MANILA – A 3-storey house collapsed into the river after continuous rain eroded the bank in West Riverside St., Del Monte, Quezon City Friday dawn.

Alexander Flood told ABS-CBN News his dog’s sudden barking alerted him of the incident. He went outside the house past 3 a.m. before it give way.

“’Yung aso ko, walang tigil kakakahol. Kung hindi dahil sa kaniya, patay na sigurado ako,” Flood said.

He is on vacation in the Philippines from Chicago.

Lawyer Dale Perral, officer-in-charge of Quezon City’s Building Official, said the heavy downpour could have triggered the erosion.

According to records, the house was constructed without a permit, he said. It also had no proper setback.

The house owner’s daughter, Lindsay Ong, said the now-collapsed structure was built only as a temporary shelter while their family was waiting for the completion of their house within the same compound.

“Wala na talagang nakatira. Natulog lang ‘yung uncle ko doon. Pero mostly parang bodega na namin ‘yun. Dati naming tinirhang bahay,” Ong said.

The city government is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPHW) to reinforce the riverbank.

“Umusod ‘yung riverbank eh. So we issued a report na dangerous na ‘yang area na ‘yan,” Perral said.

Residents living along the riverbank were advised to evacuate.

“May programa ang city government na i-relocate sila. Nagpapahanap ng property na puwedeng paglipatan ng mga nasa ilog. Kaya lang inabot tayo ng COVID, kaya ‘yung plano na ‘yun, nabinbin,” Del Monte Barangay Chairman Cornelio Pabustan said.