Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

UNDAS 2025- ALL SOULS DAY- FLOODING

Hagonoy haunted by ‘ghost’ flood-control projects as residents wade through flooded cemeteries 

Maria Tan

ABS-CBN News

<div>[[PHOTO ALBUM]]</div><p>Nearly four months after Typhoon Crising devastated the region, floodwaters remain stagnant in Hagonoy, Bulacan — a town long plagued by persistent flooding worsened by rising tides, backflow, and water releases from major dams during heavy rains. </p><p>The problem is compounded by the town’s low-lying terrain and its proximity to Manila Bay.</p><p>Residents bemoan the worsening situation, aggravated by allegedly defective or incomplete flood-control projects. </p><p>The discovery of alleged anomalous flood-control schemes has further dampened hope among residents struggling to ride out the tide.</p><p>Knee-deep floodwaters, however, did not stop families from honoring their departed loved ones this Undas. </p><p>As early as October 31, residents flocked to the H.I. Cemetery to pay respects to their dead — their final resting places still inundated with water.  </p><p>“Gusto ko na ngayong pa lang pumunta at linisin ang puntod nila para madalaw, dahil madalang ko naman silang mapuntahan sa loob ng isang taon. Ito man lang ang mauna kong mapuntahan,” shared Bernadeth Javier, 39, from Barangay Tampok, clutching flowers as she waded through murky water to reach the tombs of her brother and grandmother.</p><div><em>(“I want to visit and clean their graves as early as now so I can pay my respects, since I rarely get to visit them throughout the year. At least this time, I can go ahead and see them first.”)</em></div><p>She added, &quot;Sana matugunan ito ng gobyerno, magawa itong sementeryo, matambakan man lang para mapuntahan ng mga tao ang mga mahal nila sa buhay at yung tubig matanggal, maalis man lang.&quot;</p><div><em>(I hope the government can address this issue, fill the area, and ensure that the water can be properly drained to allow people to visit their loved ones.)</em></div><p>Mark Nelson Umali, 34, a resident of Barangay San Sebastian, cleaned his grandparents’ tomb with his cousins despite the flood, sharing how important it is to honor their grandparents and cousin this All Souls’ Day.</p><p>“Nililinis na po namin ang mga puntod dahil madulas po ang daan. Baka mamaya, yung mga kamag-anak naming matatanda na ay madulas — mahirap na ma-ospital. Nililinis namin para pag-alala sa aming mga mahal sa buhay dahil hindi na namin mabisita dahil din sa pagbaha,” said Umali.</p><div><em>(We’re cleaning the graves because the paths are slippery. We’re worried that our elderly relatives might slip and get hurt. This is our way of remembering our loved ones, since the floods make it hard for us to visit them.)</em></div><p>“Para sa mga nanunungkulan dito, bigyan sana ng aksyon yung mga ganitong bagay. Napakahirap po ng baha dito sa amin. Yung paa ko, puro alipunga na. Kawawa na ang mga tao dito. Napakalalim na po ng baha sa amin,” he added, appealing for immediate government action on the problem.</p><div><em>(To those in authority here, I hope you take immediate action on situations like this. The flooding here makes life very difficult. I’ve even developed a fungal infection on my feet. People have been suffering as the floodwaters have become very deep.)  </em></div><p>For many, this year’s All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days are not only moments of remembrance but also a poignant reminder of loss, hope, and the call for justice — for their departed loved ones and their still-flooded hometown.</p><p>As candles flicker in waterlogged cemeteries, residents say they are praying not only for the dead but also for the day their town will rise above the floods and overcome corruption.<br/><br/>(Production: Maria Tan, Gigie Cruz, ABS-CBN News)<br/><br/><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kmgwamWNrDo?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Knee-deep floodwaters did not stop families from honoring their departed loved ones this Undas. As early as October 31, residents flocked to the H.I. Cemetery in Hagonoy, Bulacan, to pay respects to their dead — their final resting places still inundated with floodwater.</p>

Knee-deep floodwaters did not stop families from honoring their departed loved ones this Undas. As early as October 31, residents flocked to the H.I. Cemetery in Hagonoy, Bulacan, to pay respects to their dead — their final resting places still inundated with floodwater.