NDCC focuses rescue efforts in Cainta, Pasig, Marikina

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) is focusing their rescue operations in the areas of Cainta in Rizal, and the cities of Pasig and Markina.

NDCC chair Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told GMA News, that he received reports that residents remain on top of their rooftops as tropical storm Ondoy moved away from the Philippine area of responsibility Sunday morning. Teodoro said flood waters have not subsided in Cainta and Pasig, where the Pasig river overflowed at the height of Ondoy's downpour Saturday afternoon. But rescue efforts are also hampered by the insistence of some residents to stay in their homes to protect their property. "Ito po ang hindi kanais-nais na pangyayari, kung maaari ay sumama na lang sila(This is an unfortunate situation, if possible they should just come with us)," Teodoro said. Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando was quoted in a television report as saying that the waters have slightly subsided in the area but many residents remain trapped in their homes. The Marikina river, like many of the bodies of water in Luzon, swelled on Saturday as 13.4 inches (34.1 centimeters) of rain fell on metropolitan Manila in just six hours, close to the 15.4-inch (39.2-centimeter) average for the entire month of September. The NDCC is now keen on the rescue, relief and reassessment operations. But Teodoro has yet to issue an estimate of the damages brought by the tropical storm. As of Sunday morning, Ondoy's death toll stands at 52, including 42 in the province of Rizal. - GMANews.TV