Shear line triggers widespread flooding in Oriental Mindoro

More than 30 barangays across Oriental Mindoro were submerged in floodwaters on Monday, February 9, 2026, following intense rains brought by a shear line weather system.

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), affected areas included six barangays in Calapan, 12 barangays in Naujan, three in Baco, seven in Victoria, two in Socorro, and five in Pola.

In Barangay Pinagsabangan II in Naujan, several families evacuated to the barangay hall as floodwaters rose rapidly.

Shear Line soaks southern Luzon and Visayas; Amihan cools northern Luzon

“Tuwing nabaha po hanggang dibdib ang tubig sa amin kaya hindi na po kami nagpapaabot ng rescue dahil nakakadala na po dati,“ said resident Gina Comia, who evacuated early with her children and grandchildren.

Several local government units suspended afternoon classes. However, some students expressed frustration after struggling to wade through floodwaters just to get home due to the lack of available transportation.

“Hirap po sumakay, nakailang sakay na po kami,” said student Ashley Dalisay.

“Nakailang palit po kami ng sasakyan kasi hindi daw po kaya. Sana po magawan ng paraan na may madaanan tuwing babaha dito sa Curva,” added student Darlene Watiwat.

Motorists were also stranded along the Strong Republic Nautical Highway after being unable to cross sections due to deep floodwaters.

A barangay official said flooding has become an annual problem that severely affects residents’ livelihoods. He added that if flood control projects were properly completed, residents would not have to endure such hardship every time heavy rains occur.

“Wala na po matakbuhan yung tubig ng aming kailogan, tapos hindi po natuloy yung itinatayong mga flood control doon nagsisimula ang pag-agos ng tubig, kailangan yan po ay matapos para matapos ang problema namin sa baha,” said Marlon Lomio, a barangay councilor of Pinagsabangan II in Naujan.

Due to overnight heavy rains from the shear line, the Mag-asawang Tubig River overflowed its banks.

“Umapaw yung kailogan naming particular yung mag-asawang tubig na  lagging problema naming dito sa bayan ng Naujan na lahat na nakapalibot na barangay yan yung mga naapektuhan ng pagbaha,” said Joery Geroleo, head of the Naujan MDRRMO.

Naujan is reportedly among the areas with numerous allegedly substandard flood control projects constructed along the Mag-asawang Tubig River. Several officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Mimaropa are currently detained over alleged corruption linked to flood control projects in the area.

Meanwhile, nearly 10 barangays in Victoria were also submerged in floodwaters. Barangay Mabini, which historically did not experience flooding, is now among the hardest hit.

Authorities continue to monitor rivers across Oriental Mindoro that have reached critical levels due to the rapid rise in water levels.