By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

As inclement weather brought about by the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) continues to inundate Central Luzon, the government continues to work on ensuring that affected communities receive timely aid and assistance.

This, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presided over the Central Luzon Flooding and Metro Manila Health Response Meeting on Monday, along with secretaries of various government agencies.

Officials who were present during the meeting were secretaries of the Department of National Defense (DND), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agriculture (D.A.), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM), as well as a representative from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).

In a video message on Monday, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro outlined the details of the meeting, “Nais siguruhin ng Pangulo na ang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan ay tumutugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mamamayan sa pinakamabilis na oras.”

Transportation matters

During the meeting, the OCD reported the procurement of rubber boats for use in flooded areas, as well as additional support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) in the continuing search, rescue, and retrieval operations.

Traffic congestion in areas such as the Tulaoc-Pulilan/Viaduct area northbound and Tulaoc-San Fernando area southbound along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) due to high floodwaters was also tackled in the meeting.

Interventions such as the installation of flood barriers, mobile pumps, and floating pumps by the MMDA, and the deployment of patrol officers, were made to ease traffic and divert floodwaters to drainage channels along the expressway.

Food assistance

The OCD moreover reported the continued distribution of non-food items, rice and potable water to affected residents, as well as financial assistance to affected local government units through the Disaster Response Assistance and Preparedness (DRAP) program.

Quoting reports, Usec. Castro said the government has extended P674.44 million worth of assistance, with P37.18 million provided to Tarlac, P358.15 million to Pampanga, and P270.10 million to Bulacan.

For its part, the DSWD deployed specialized disaster response vehicles, three mobile kitchens, and various forms of humanitarian relief through Family Food Packs, ready-to-eat food, non-food items, and payouts under the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program.

When asked whether food supplies are adequate and reach their intended beneficiaries, Secretary Gatchalian assured President Marcos Jr. that food supplies remain sufficient and that isolated barangays are being reached through airlift operations to deliver food and other essential supplies.

Agri interventions, Leptospirosis updates

Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel Jr. also shared the immediate assistance measures deployed by the DA to help farmers and fisherfolk recover from the effects of bad weather on their livelihoods, which include the following:

• immediate agricultural assistance
• crop insurance
• financial assistance
• Agri-RECOVER program
• replenishment of Quick Response Fund

For their part, the DOH assured the President of adequate supplies of medicines to treat leptospirosis patients, with 5,835 cases recorded by the agency as of press time.

The Health Department also noted the availability of PhilHealth packages for leptospirosis cases, with Leptospirosis Express Lanes ready to accommodate patients to facilitate faster medical attention.

Infra repairs

Meanwhile, the DPWH provided updates on roads and bridges damaged by the recent weather disturbances, including the Agana Bridge and Aquino Bridge in Tarlac City.

A Bailey bridge is being used as a temporary crossing while the damaged Agana Bridge is being addressed.

The Balanti Dike and San Isidro Dike in Tarlac City are undergoing repairs, while work is also being undertaken at the Sto. Cristo Dam in Lubao, Pampanga and Bucao Dike in Botolan, Zambales.

A Bailey Bridge will also be installed as a temporary passage while the Sta. Fe Bridge in San Marcelino, Zambales is being repaired.

Rounding up the discussions, DBM Secretary Kim Robert de Leon assured the Chief Executive of sufficient funds to stimulate response efforts for communities inundated with floods and affected by severe weather.

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