Sanitation problems hound Bulacan flood evacuees

Problems about sanitation problems and water-borne diseases are hounding residents of Bulacan province who were forced to flee their homes due to floods from typhoon "Pedring" (international name: Nesat) last week. In Calumpit town, one of the hardest-hit areas, evacuees housed at the Calumpit National High School said they have to endure overcrowding and the lack of sanitation. "Ang CR dito talagang pag pumasok ka wala kang magagamit, kulang na kulang ang CR dito. Hindi ka makadumi dahil sa dami ng tao. Siksikan, tatlo lang ang CR dito. May tubig man, walang tubig sa loob, kukuha ka ng tubig sa labas," a female evacuee said in an interview on dzBB radio. She said many evacuees, including children, have fever and colds. She added that many people are afraid of catching dengue because of the mosquitoes flying around in evacuation centers. "Nakakatulog naman kami pero sa sobrang lamok kung di ka makabili ng katol ... ginagawa ko na lang para makatulog pinakumot ko na lang," she said. Food is also a problem because the families have no tools with which to cook their food, she said. Floods forced many families in Bulacan to flee their homes last week. However, many other families were stranded, having to stay on the roofs of their homes. In contrast, families at another evacuation site, the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, had better accommodations, according to a report by radio dzBB's Allan Gatus. The report said the gym was more spacious than the Calumpit high school. Red Cross warning The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) warned donors against falling for scams related to the floods. A dzBB report quoted PRC secretary general Gwendolyn Pang as saying some individuals are approaching offices and homes to ask for "aid" for the victims. Pang advised the public to consult with the PRC or with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and with the Department of Social Welfare and Development. - VVP, GMA News