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Flood misery lingers in storm-hit Philippines Flood misery lingers in storm-hit Philippines
(2 days later)
Many people are using makeshift rafts to move aroundMany people are using makeshift rafts to move around
After a series of devastating storms since late September, many communities in the Philippines are still badly flooded, and the government estimates it may take months for the waters to drain, reports the BBC's Daniel Vincent from Manila. After a series of devastating storms since late September, many communities in the Philippines are still badly flooded, and the government estimates it may take months for the waters to drain, reports the BBC's Danny Vincent from Manila.
A frail Rosita Gillaco stands waist deep in the waters outside the debris that was once her home, waiting for help that may never come.A frail Rosita Gillaco stands waist deep in the waters outside the debris that was once her home, waiting for help that may never come.
Everything she owned was destroyed in the floods that swamped her village of Palingon. Her house was submerged when Lake Laguna, south-east of Manila, overflowed.Everything she owned was destroyed in the floods that swamped her village of Palingon. Her house was submerged when Lake Laguna, south-east of Manila, overflowed.
Like many in her community, the 65-year-old prefers to live in the dirty waters that flooded much of the area around Manila than take refuge in the overcrowded evacuation centres.Like many in her community, the 65-year-old prefers to live in the dirty waters that flooded much of the area around Manila than take refuge in the overcrowded evacuation centres.
"I may get relief first if I stand here. Now everything in my house is destroyed. I don't have a second floor so I just stay here," Mrs Gillaco says."I may get relief first if I stand here. Now everything in my house is destroyed. I don't have a second floor so I just stay here," Mrs Gillaco says.
Waterborne diseasesWaterborne diseases
Palingon is one of more than 20 villages near Manila that are still under feet of water after a succession of deadly typhoons.Palingon is one of more than 20 villages near Manila that are still under feet of water after a succession of deadly typhoons.
Many people are now living on the upper floors of their homes. Below, boats run along the flooded streets and children wade through the water, catching fish.Many people are now living on the upper floors of their homes. Below, boats run along the flooded streets and children wade through the water, catching fish.
Contaminated water may now be a greater threat than the weatherContaminated water may now be a greater threat than the weather
A bamboo bridge circling the village is now the only route to dry land.A bamboo bridge circling the village is now the only route to dry land.
At the current rate, authorities say it will take three to six months for the waters to recede.At the current rate, authorities say it will take three to six months for the waters to recede.
Residents describe the waters rising with every new storm. Nearby Lake Laguna, the largest lake in the Philippines, is at twice its normal level and the overflow has moved on to the natural floodplain near the lake.Residents describe the waters rising with every new storm. Nearby Lake Laguna, the largest lake in the Philippines, is at twice its normal level and the overflow has moved on to the natural floodplain near the lake.
A planned channel from the lake to Manila Bay that would have helped drain the excess water brought by the storms was never built.A planned channel from the lake to Manila Bay that would have helped drain the excess water brought by the storms was never built.
Now the threat from contaminated water may be greater than that from the weather.Now the threat from contaminated water may be greater than that from the weather.
The World Health Organization says it is battling serious outbreaks of waterborne diseases like Leptospirosis and acute diarrhoea, as well as respiratory infections.The World Health Organization says it is battling serious outbreaks of waterborne diseases like Leptospirosis and acute diarrhoea, as well as respiratory infections.
Health workers say thousands of people could be affected.Health workers say thousands of people could be affected.
Urban sprawlUrban sprawl
The floodwaters now stagnating on the floodplain also highlight the Philippines' problems with unregulated urban growth.The floodwaters now stagnating on the floodplain also highlight the Philippines' problems with unregulated urban growth.
Instead of using the floodplain for crops that thrive in watery conditions, such as rice, Manila's urban sprawl has been allowed to extend up to the lake shore.Instead of using the floodplain for crops that thrive in watery conditions, such as rice, Manila's urban sprawl has been allowed to extend up to the lake shore.
Politicians who will continue to protect squatters will earn brownie points come the elections Edgardo MandaLaguna Lake Development AuthorityPoliticians who will continue to protect squatters will earn brownie points come the elections Edgardo MandaLaguna Lake Development Authority
Many of the residents here are squatters, some of the millions who have moved to Manila. The government has blamed the squatters for much of the flooding because many people have built homes along the city's canals and waterways.Many of the residents here are squatters, some of the millions who have moved to Manila. The government has blamed the squatters for much of the flooding because many people have built homes along the city's canals and waterways.
Mounds of rubbish have piled up over the years, blocking the vital waterways.Mounds of rubbish have piled up over the years, blocking the vital waterways.
Manila authorities estimate that 350,000 illegal residents must be evicted in order to clear the waters that are now spreading disease.Manila authorities estimate that 350,000 illegal residents must be evicted in order to clear the waters that are now spreading disease.
The central government has ordered the squatters be evicted, but many refuse to leave.The central government has ordered the squatters be evicted, but many refuse to leave.
And politicians have been hesitant to evict them for fear of losing votes ahead of the general elections next year.And politicians have been hesitant to evict them for fear of losing votes ahead of the general elections next year.
"The reluctance of the government is at the local level. Politicians who will continue to protect squatters will earn brownie points come the elections," said Edgardo Manda, from the Laguna Lake Development Authority."The reluctance of the government is at the local level. Politicians who will continue to protect squatters will earn brownie points come the elections," said Edgardo Manda, from the Laguna Lake Development Authority.
'Balancing act''Balancing act'
One of the squatters facing eviction is Liza Lacap, who lives in a riverbank community in Pasig City in Manila. Rubbish is strewn across the river.One of the squatters facing eviction is Liza Lacap, who lives in a riverbank community in Pasig City in Manila. Rubbish is strewn across the river.
Signs of the heavy rains that fell here are everywhere.Signs of the heavy rains that fell here are everywhere.
A dusty Virgin Mary stands on a shelf on a wall and dried muck from where water and mud swept over her home has solidified on the inside of her roof. Muddy residue runs up the outside of her home.A dusty Virgin Mary stands on a shelf on a wall and dried muck from where water and mud swept over her home has solidified on the inside of her roof. Muddy residue runs up the outside of her home.
"Being evicted is a bigger disaster than the typhoon," said Ms Lacap, 29. "I have lived here all my life but now I have to leave.""Being evicted is a bigger disaster than the typhoon," said Ms Lacap, 29. "I have lived here all my life but now I have to leave."
After surviving the floods, she has been given just days to relocate.After surviving the floods, she has been given just days to relocate.
"They do not want to move out, they fear that if they do, they will lose the communities that they once occupied," said Mr Manda."They do not want to move out, they fear that if they do, they will lose the communities that they once occupied," said Mr Manda.
"For those living in the main town - the mainstream population - they will see the local government officials in a very negative light if they continue to protect the squatters."For those living in the main town - the mainstream population - they will see the local government officials in a very negative light if they continue to protect the squatters.
"But for the squatters if they are evicted they will stop supporting politicians. It is now a balancing act for them," he said."But for the squatters if they are evicted they will stop supporting politicians. It is now a balancing act for them," he said.