By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos | Philippine News Agency
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday conducted an aerial inspection of flood-stricken areas in Pampanga province.
He was accompanied by the Department of Agriculture (D.A.) Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. and Special Assistant to the President, Secretary Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., during the inspection, according to photos released by the Presidential Communications Office.
The President was scheduled to visit an evacuation center in Bacolor, Pampanga on Saturday morning. However, the site visit was canceled due to inclement weather.
President Marcos was instead represented by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who checked on the condition of disaster-hit individuals temporarily staying at the Bacolor Integrated School in Pampanga.
Gatchalian led the distribution of family food packs and other essential items from the DSWD to the displaced families and conveyed the President’s commitment to provide immediate support for the swift recovery of those affected by the massive flooding caused by torrential rains.
Pampanga’s provincial government has placed the entire province under a state of calamity following severe flooding that affected more than half a million residents and caused extensive damage to crops and livestock.
As of Thursday, the combined effects of continuous heavy rainfall and successive weather disturbances have affected 160,891 families, or 527,648 individuals, in 290 villages, according to the assessment conducted by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Damage to crops and livestock has exceeded P470 million, while infrastructure damage reached P170 million.
To ensure uninterrupted healthcare services, the DOH has established an emergency medical facility in Macabebe, Pampanga, following the closure of the Domingo B. Flores District Hospital due to worsening floods. (PNA)
