Puerto Princesa experienced record-breaking rainfall for 24 hours in early February when a shear line and low-pressure area blanketed Palawan. Based on official records, the city received 352 millimeters of rain from 8 AM of February 9 to 8 AM the following day, nearly 12 times the normal amount for the month.
The downpour on February 9 alone, which reached 341.7 millimeters, surpassed the city’s previous highest single-day rainfall of 260.3 millimeters, which was recorded on December 29, 1975. These numbers revealed that Puerto Princesa received a staggering 2,147% of its usual rainfall for the period.
The weather disturbance caused severe flooding in at least 20 barangays, including those in urban areas. Among the worst-affected barangays were San Pedro, Bancao-Bancao, San Miguel, San Manuel, San Jose, Tagburos, and Sta. Lourdes, and Sicsican. The flood persisted in Barangay San Pedro for over a week, disrupting daily life and damaging properties.
According to Punong Barangay Gay Jun Dangan, 847 families sought refuge in evacuation centers in Barangay Bancao-Bancao, while 516 others braved the flood in outside shelters.
“This is climate crisis. Hindi na natin kailangan ng bagyo para bahain tayo. We are heavily flooded na. We should take action. It’s a wake-up call,” said Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC) executive director Atty. Grizelda “Gerthie” Mayo-Anda, during a Puerto Princesa Council committee meeting.
The same committee hearing highlighted the lack of a comprehensive drainage system in Puerto Princesa. While some have drainage canals, many areas still lack proper flood management infrastructure.
The current city administration had proposed a drainage system project, but its implementation was delayed due to disagreements from some private landowners who refused to give their consent for the project to commence in San Pedro and San Jose.
This delay urged Committee Chairman on Infrastructure Councilor Luis Marcaida, III, to intervene. He initiated dialogues with landowners to cooperate with the city to start the much-needed drainage project to prevent future flooding in Puerto Princesa.
