Laguna residents scale rooftops, flee floods

MANILA - Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito said at least 500 families have been evacuated from flooded areas in the province. He said he expects the figure to rise as rescue boats rush to pick up stranded residents. Ejercito said floodwaters have reached the roofs of one-storey houses in Santa Rosa. Waist-deep waters have also submerged subdivisions in Cabuyao while San Pedro, Biñan and Calamba are also under water. The governor is urging the Department of National Defense to help in the rescue operations. He also asked Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman to send food and water to the victims. Ejercito said the overflowing of Laguna Lake caused the massive flooding. ANC DATELINE PHILIPPINES, August 19, 2013