Twelve Oriental Mindoro teachers rescued after river floods, bridge collapses

CALAPAN CITY — Emergency responders executed a swift rescue operation in Bongabong town, Oriental Mindoro, after 12 teachers from Naswak Elementary School found themselves cut off from their community due to rapidly rising floodwaters. The incident unfolded Thursday when the Bongabong River surged unexpectedly, sweeping away the bamboo bridge that served as the sole access route to Sitio Naswak in Barangay Bongabong.

Police units coordinated with disaster response teams from the Mimaropa region to evacuate the stranded educators from their isolated location. The swift coordination between law enforcement and emergency personnel enabled rescue workers to reach the teachers before conditions deteriorated further.

While specific details about the rescue methods employed remain limited, officials confirmed all 12 teachers were safely evacuated and accounted for following the operation. The incident highlights the vulnerability of remote communities that depend on informal bridge infrastructure during heavy rainfall and flooding events.

No injuries were reported in connection with the bridge collapse. Local authorities have not yet announced plans for reconstructing or reinforcing the damaged bamboo crossing, which had been the primary link between Sitio Naswak and the broader township.