CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) — Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda has urged residents in flooded communities to minimize contact with floodwaters as prolonged inundation increases the risk of leptospirosis and other water-related illnesses.
Pineda particularly warned residents with cuts or wounds on their feet against wading through floodwaters and urged families to keep children and sick members away from contaminated water whenever possible.
“Sana iwasan niyo na magkasakit kayo. Kasi kapag matagal na yung baha sa barangay ninyo, kung hindi rin lang naman importante yung lakad ninyo, wag na kayong bumaba sa tubig lalo na kung may sugat kayo sa paa,” she said.
The governor advised families to limit the number of people who need to enter floodwaters to obtain essential supplies, while ensuring that children and those who are already ill remain in safer areas.
“Kung pwede, isa na lang yung bababa para bumili ng mga kailangan ninyo. Pero yung mga bata, pati yung mga may sakit, wag na silang lulusong sa tubig,” she said.
Pineda also assured residents that the provincial government remains ready to respond to medical emergencies arising from prolonged flooding through its coordination with local disaster response offices.
Local government units (LGUs) maintain direct communication with the provincial government to facilitate assistance to affected residents.
“Kung may kailangan kayo, may nagkasakit sa bahay ninyo, sabihin ninyo lang, iabiso ninyo. Kung kailangan po namin kayong sunduin, susunduin namin kayo para madala namin kayo sa ospital,” Pineda said.
As of August 12, the province was placed under a State of Calamity after continuous heavy rains brought by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat flooded 297 barangays, affecting thousands of individuals and millions of crops and livestock.
The provincial government continues its 24/7 monitoring of flooded communities while coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways and LGUs to identify ways to shorten the duration of flooding.
Pineda reminded residents to follow advisories from authorities, avoid unnecessary exposure to floodwater, and immediately report medical concerns to barangay officials or local disaster risk reduction and management offices.
“Ang importante talaga, mag-ingat kayo pati mga pamilya ninyo,” Pineda said, as the provincial government continues efforts to protect communities while flood conditions persist. (Marie Joy S. Carbungco)
