This isn't a waterway; it's a road that has been submerged for months in Tagumpay, Laguna province.
This shoreline community sits just meters from Laguna de Bay — the Philippines' largest freshwater lake. Floods here aren't occasional, they are persistent. Residents have been battling the floodwaters for months — they say the crisis the worst they've seen in two decades.
Leaving the area seems like an obvious solution — but most families cannot afford to relocate and start over. And even for those who leave their houses, safety isn't guaranteed because the storms still find them.
In July 2025, Laguna de Bay breached 12.51 meters (over 41 feet). This was its highest level in years, triggering warnings across shoreline communities.
Bay village officials say the flooding could persist for months.
As of 2025, the Philippines is at the very top of the World Risk Index, which measures vulnerability to extreme weather events. Now, Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) has torn through the island nation.
With over 60 dead in its path, Filipinos are once again facing the harsh reality of climate change.