Politics · Philippines Bureau
Sta. Fe River swells again, inundating San Marcelino government offices
Floodwaters from an overflowing river in Zambales have once again damaged municipal buildings, with water levels reaching several feet inside key government facilities. The recurring inundation raises concerns about infrastructure vulnerability in the coastal town.
LSN Philippines ·
SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — The Sta. Fe River breached its banks in San Marcelino on Wednesday, sending floodwaters into the town's administrative buildings for the second time in recent weeks. Water levels between two and four feet rushed into the Sta. Fe barangay hall and multi-purpose hall as the river rose amid heavy rainfall, according to the San Marcelino Public Information Office.
The overflow highlighted ongoing drainage challenges in the low-lying municipality, which sits in a flood-prone area of Zambales province. Wednesday's incident marked another disruption to local government operations as workers scrambled to prevent water damage to documents and equipment housed in the affected structures.
No immediate reports of casualties were recorded from the flooding, though the damage to public facilities adds to mounting concerns about disaster preparedness in the region. Municipal officials have not yet announced formal damage assessments or recovery timelines for the affected buildings.
The repeated flooding underscores the need for enhanced river management and infrastructure improvements, particularly as monsoon season intensifies across the Philippines. Local authorities have indicated they are reviewing drainage systems and evaluating longer-term solutions to prevent future inundations.