ZAMBOANGA CITY — Heavy rains triggered massive flooding in Barangay Curuan on the evening of September 18, displacing at least 1,064 families across 11 sitios and forcing dozens of residents to evacuate as floodwaters rose swiftly.
According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), the downpour caused flash floods that inundated homes and businesses, leaving significant damage to properties and livelihoods. Sitios Mango Drive, Camias, Market Site, River Site, Poblacion, Parusan, Inner Presa, Betong, Presa, Mina, and Urban Poor were among the hardest hit.
Mayor Khymer Olaso rushed to the barangay that night to help oversee emergency response efforts. Rescue teams from the CDRRMO, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Curuan Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee worked together to rescue residents trapped in their houses. City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) personnel profiled the affected households and evacuated 17 families—90 individuals—to the Curuan Basketball Court for temporary shelter.
Mayor Olaso personally provided bread and water to evacuees, while the CSWDO prepared relief packs, hygiene kits, mats, and blankets for distribution. The following day, rice was distributed to affected households. District 2 Congressman Jerry Perez, Vice Mayor Beng Climaco, and CDRRMO Chief Dr. Elmeir Apolinario also visited the area to extend assistance.
Despite the displacement, Barangay Information Officer Roger Sampillo reported that families were able to return to their homes within hours as the floodwaters quickly subsided, a common occurrence in Curuan during heavy rains. However, residents stressed that this flood was far worse than usual.
“This is the first time floodwaters have entered our store. Our goods were soaked and damaged. Almost every household suffered losses,” one resident lamented, describing the incident as the biggest flood Curuan has experienced.
The flooding has reignited calls for stronger flood control and drainage systems. “So ito yung problema ng ating bansa ngayon—yung flood control na ginawa previously, hindi natapos, tsaka yung design, mababa,” Mayor Olaso said in an interview. He appealed to the national government to support effective flood control projects that could prevent similar disasters in the future.
Meanwhile, the CDRRMO continued to deliver potable water to evacuation centers, and teachers from Curuan National High School received assistance from their principal and faculty officers after being affected by the flood.
As Curuan faces the brunt of rains that regularly pound the east coast of Zamboanga from July to September, residents are urging authorities to move beyond temporary relief and implement long-term solutions to protect lives, homes, and livelihoods from recurring floods.