Coastal Bulacan town grapples with cemetery flooding during Undas season

HAGONOY, Bulacan — Major cemeteries across this coastal municipality remained submerged during the Undas holiday weekend, as floodwaters reached 4.36 feet on the evening of October 29, compounding the hardships faced by residents already accustomed to regular tidal incursions.

The inundation affected key burial grounds in Hagonoy's poblacion, preventing families from visiting deceased relatives during All Saints' Day observances. For a municipality where high tides are an ongoing concern, the seasonal flooding extended its impact beyond residential and commercial areas into spaces meant for the deceased.

The flooding, driven by a combination of high tides and weather conditions, marked another challenging chapter for Hagonoy residents whose low-lying location near Manila Bay leaves them perpetually susceptible to water-related disasters. Community officials have faced mounting pressure to address chronic flooding issues that recur during peak monsoon and holiday seasons.

Local authorities have not immediately announced rehabilitation efforts or damage assessments from the latest flooding event. The incident highlights the ongoing challenge faced by coastal municipalities in Bulacan as they contend with geographical vulnerabilities and seasonal weather patterns that regularly compromise infrastructure and daily life.