River wall collapse, high tide trigger flood in Navotas

At least 16 families were evacuated after a river wall collapsed at the height of high tide before noon in Bgy. San Jose in Navotas City on Saturday, June 28.

 The breach caused massive flooding in several communities. 

According to Navotas Public Information Officer Irish Cubillan, residents were taken to two evacuation centers - Navotas Elementary School 1 and the barangay hall. 

The city government provided evacuees food and other basic necessities, as well as medicines including doxcycline, known to counter leptospirosis.

 According to Cubillan, the wall of the shipyard in the area has long needed repairs.

 “Itong pader po na ito matagal na itong dapat nai-repair. Kaya lang natigilan po tayo dahil mayroon pong anim na pamilya— mga informal settler families na ginagamit din ‘yung wall para sa kanilang bahay,” Cubillan told ABS-CBN News in a phone interview. 

Two of the families have since been relocated to Naic, Cavite, while the rest are waiting for in-city housing. 

The local government plans to start sandbagging operations once flooding subsides.

 “Hinihintay lang namin bumaba nang bumaba ngayon. Nagpe-prepare na ‘yung city for sandbagging,” Navotas District II Councilor Neil Cruz said.

 The wall was damaged at 11:30 a.m. with floods reaching two meters by 12 p.m.

 By 6:00 p.m., water level went down.

 One of the six families for relocation was in the middle of a wake when the river wall broke.

 But with the help of passersby, they were able to transport the body of their loved one safely and without it getting submerged.

 The family members told ABS-CBN News they were thankful for two establishments that welcomed them and allowed them to stay there with the coffin temporarily before they eventually made it to the Bgy. San Jose Hall.