Manila Bulletin Online, September 15, 2005

Heavy Rains in Aurora and Nueva Ecija
Leaves Hundreds Stranded

Incessant rains the past few weeks have caused the Villar River in Maria Aurora, Aurora to overflow and rendered the 50-kilometer Baler-Bongabon Road impassable to hundreds of motorists and commuters for the past two days.

The Villa River, which runs through Barangay Villa Aurora in Maria Aurora and a portion of Labi, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija overflowed and virtually flooded the said major road after weeks of heavy rains bombarded the area.

Hundreds of motorists, cargo trucks and commuters have been stranded in the area for the past two to three days. Many of these motorists and commuters, especially those on the Aurora side are on the brink of starvation as they are unable to return to Baler. The non-stop rains have made highway travel back to Baler dangerous due to possible landslides and floodwaters.

Commerce has also halted in Baler and the rest of the province of Aurora as even heavy trucks carrying food and commercial goods were unable to pass through.

Residents of Aurora have already appealed for the airlifting of much-needed food, medicine and supplies as the nasty weather have already caused many residents to contract pulmonary ailments.