MANILA, Philippines — Araceli Becker Bumatay, the homeowners’ association president of Provident Village (St. Joseph), said those who chose to stay in Provident Village, especially the rich residents, managed to immediately renovate and repair their damaged houses and return to normal lives.

Other residents, meanwhile, fortified their houses, and even built another floor (third floor) in case high flooding will again strike during the rainy season.

‘Panic rooms’
She added that residents also have what they call “panic rooms,” where emergency equipment like batteries, life vest or life jackets, ropes, lifesaver (salbabida), and even canned goods, etc. are stocked to be used during heavy flooding.

"Some residents have what they call "panic rooms" where emergency equipment is stored. In case heavy flooding hits our area, they are ready," she said.

Bumatay said even her house has its own rubber boat on the ground floor of the house which they will use in times of emergency. Life vests have also been stored there.

She said the rubber boat was one of the two rubber boats provided by then Marikina City Mayor Marides Fernando after “Ondoy” ravagedruck their village.

She said the other rubber boat will also be used also for disaster response.

"If you look at our house, the signs of the big flood are still evident because we haven't done any much renovation at all. There are only a sofa and few appliances on the ground floor,” she said.

Actions taken in Ondoy aftermath Bumatay said the incumbent mayor of Marikina City, Del de Guzman, has been very helpful in their area, especially in the clearing or declogging drainage systems of debris and other waste materials so that in case of heavy rains, flooding will be prevented.

She said last August, a team of workers went to their area to start declogging canals and drainage systems with the use of a pumping machine.

She said workers had just finished their work.

She added that last Sept. 13, he went to the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) headquarters in Makati City to report that a portion of the river dike has been destroyed and needed to be repaired as soon as possible.

"I was able to talk to one of the engineers in the MMDA during the time of Bayani Fernando who used to come here (during Ondoy) and reported to him about the matter," she said.

In a meeting with fellow homeowners last Sept. 11, Bumatay said residents suggested the building of a dam somewhere in nearby Antipolo City or other Rizal areas to prevent the Marikina River from being a “catch basin” of rampaging floodwaters.

“I think they are studying that possibility,” she added.

Mass in memory of flood victims
Bumatay said a memorial mass will be held today at the Immaculate Concepcion Chapel in Provident Village to remember those who died when floods struck their village.

She said that one of those who perished was the sister of actor Tommy Abuel, Norma, who died at the village chapel.

She recalled that when Ondoy hit, she was also at the chapel attending a Parish Renewal Experience (PREX) seminar. By afternoon, floodwater started rushing inside the chapel forcing her and other parishioners to take action and swim towards the chapel fence.

Bumatay said about 15 parishioners (which include Norma Abuel) rushed to the next chapel that was being constructed and hung on to various parts, including its chandeliers to save their lives. Abuel, who reportedly climbed up to one of the pews, died when it toppled over causing her to drown in the process.

She said she and her fellow parishioners were saved when fellow residents threw a rubber hose then reeled them one after the other until they reached a house.

“Fortunately, they were there and save us from possible death,” she said.

Barangay Pinagbuhatan
Meanwhile, resident of Barangay Pinagbuhatan, one of the areas in Pasig City which was badly hit by Ondoy, are back to normal lives.

Despite this, the memory of that fateful day still haunts them that is why residents also cringed whenever they hear news reports of possible weather disturbance.

Lolo Rogelio Retales, 70, a former fish vendor who suffered a stroke last year, said despite the setback, life continues for him and his relatives inside their two-story house.

Retales recalled that during the height of Ondoy, their photocopying machine was destroyed, affecting the family business.

He added that not since 1972 had they ever experienced such kind of flooding.

“It was 1969 when we arrived in Barangay Pinagbuhatan. Pasig used to be part of Rizal and most of the areas here still had grass (talahib). As far as I can remember, the last time we suffered severe flooding was in 1972."