By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

“Hanggang kailangan niyo kami, andito lamang kami.”

Through these simple words, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. empathized with individuals and families displaced by widespread floods in Pampanga.

In his visit at the Bacolor Integrated School, he met with 216 families, equivalent to 836 individuals currently taking refuge at the school after their homes were inundated during the height of southwest-monsoon-induced rainfall.

He then proceeded to the Bacolor Mini Convention Center, where he engaged with 69 families or around 300 individuals, residing in modular tents—assessing the welfare of residents affected by heavy flooding in their respective villages.

After meeting with the evacuees, President Marcos Jr. assured them of unhampered aid and assistance from the government as they rebuild their lives in the wake of the floods.

Bacolor is one of the following cities and municipalities reported by authorities to have experienced flooding due to bad weather:

• Apalit
• Arayat
• Candaba
• Guagua
• Lubao
• Macabebe
• Magalang
• Masantol
• Minalin
• Mexico
• Porac
• San Fernando
• San Luis
• San Simon
• Santa Ana
• Sasmuan

There are currently 11 active evacuation centers in Bacolor serving 559 families or 2,221 individuals.

Aid, assistance in motion

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to distribute ready-to-eat food packs, hygiene kits, and P10,000 cash assistance to the evacuees, with a Mobile Kitchen also deployed to serve them with warm and nutritious meals throughout the day.

The agency, moreover, reported that a total of 315,807 families, or 1.01 million individuals, were affected by the enhanced Southwest Monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay, and Neneng. Of these, 3,118 families or 11,308 individuals, remained in evacuation centers.

Reports also showed that 10 roads, government facilities, and flood-control structures sustained damage. Four houses were totally damaged and 47 were partially damaged. Authorities also noted that agricultural losses and damage were estimated at P423.84 million, affecting 8,742 farmers and fisherfolk.

For flood mitigation, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has undertaken maintenance and declogging activities along drainage systems and waterways in Pampanga.

Rounding off his Monday engagements, the Chief Executive led a situation briefing at the Pampanga Provincial Capitol to assess the effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) that drenched most of the country for almost two weeks. (with report from Clay Pardilla | PTV News)

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