Ondoy' displaces thousands in San Mateo, Rizal

MANILA - A total of 19,524 families or 97,620 individuals in San Mateo, Rizal have been affected by tropical storm Ondoy, local officials said Monday.

At least 10 residents have died while an undetermined number remain missing two days after massive flooding hit the area. Most of the evacuees were brought to 15 local schools where they will be housed temporarily.

A medical mission has also been set up in front of the San Mateo municipal hall.

Dramatic footage taken by ABS-CBN earlier showed four people being swept away by the raging flood while rescuers try to throw them a lifeline at the San Mateo Batasan Bridge.

Fourteen houses in Sta. Barbara Villa Subdivision, San Mateo were also buried by landslide Friday night. The subdivision is part of a government housing program for soldiers and policemen.

San Mateo residents said that the last time their area was hit by such flooding was in 1937.

Five subdivisions in the town of Cainta, Rizal are still flooded, with many people, especially children and elderly, unable to leave the area, according to an ABS-CBN News field report.

In a report aired over Umagang Kay Ganda on Monday, ABS-CBN's Doland Castro said 10 people have been reported dead in Cainta, one of the badly-hit areas in the province of Rizal.

As of Monday morning, 7 barangays are still affected by floods, according to Cainta Mayor Mon Ilagan.

From Sunday until 3:30 am on Monday, Ilagan, together with Philippine National Red Cross chair Richard Gordon, went to Vista Verde Executive Homes along Felix Ave. where they rescued many trapped children and elderly.

Around 90% of business establishments in Cainta have been affected by the floods and are shut down. This has affected the availability of food.

Food rations were only distributed starting Sunday after the floods partially subsided.

Gordon said he has asked for more Red Cross teams which can help rescue trapped families in Cainta.

Only rubber boats, amphibious vehicles and 6X6 trucks can access the flooded areas.