Barasoain Church flooded as Bulacan remains waterlogged

MANILA, Philippines — Floodwaters inundated the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos on Sunday, August 30 as persistent southwest monsoon rains continued to soak Bulacan, with PAGASA warning that more rain could worsen flooding in already saturated areas.

Photos shared Sunday morning by Barasoain Church Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish showed floodwaters surrounding parts of the church grounds and reaching portions of the interior.

Despite the flooding, the parish said Masses would still be held at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Barasoain Church is among the country's most historic religious sites. It hosted the Malolos Congress and the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic in 1899.

More rain for Bulacan

In an 11 a.m. advisory, state weather bureau PAGASA said Bulacan may receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rain from Sunday through noon Monday, Aug. 31, due to the southwest monsoon, or habagat.

Another 50 to 100 mm may fall from Monday noon through Tuesday noon.

The weather bureau warned that rainfall could be higher in mountainous and elevated areas and that impacts may be worsened by significant rain that has already fallen.

Another flood advisory for Central Luzon identified rivers and tributaries in Bulacan as likely to be affected by moderate to heavy rain.

Residents in low-lying areas and near waterways were advised to take precautions and follow instructions from local disaster officials.

The southwest monsoon is forecast to continue bringing heavy rain to parts of Luzon through the middle of the week. — with John Marwin Elao