By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
In a gesture of expressing oneness with those inundated by widespread flooding in Central Luzon, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. led several engagements in the provinces of Tarlac, Zambales, and Pampanga on Wednesday.
The President began with an inspection of the damaged Aquino and Agana bridges in Barangay San Isidro, Tarlac City, where he directed concerned agencies to expedite repairs on these vital infrastructures.
He then paid a visit to Barangay Santa Fe, San Marcelino, Zambales, where he facilitated the distribution of government relief and cash assistance to approximately 1,000 affected families—about 2,525 individuals, primarily Ilocanos and Indigenous Peoples.
The President’s visit came as intermittent rains continued to affect the area. Santa Fe is accessible from the town proper only after about an hour’s journey, with portions of the route requiring military trucks due to difficult terrain and damaged roads.
President Marcos Jr. went on to inspect the barangay hall and multi-purpose center in the remote town, which were submerged in about a meter of gravel during heavy flooding.
Pampanga engagements
Capping off his jam-packed itinerary in Central Luzon, the President inspected the damage to an embankment near the Sto. Cristo Dam in Lubao, Pampanga, after the structure was overwhelmed by voluminous downpour.
In a media statement, he emphasized the need to construct sabo dams upstream of the Sto. Cristo Dam, which would help capture debris and regulate the flow of water before heading downstream.
“Lahat ng dam natin ngayon kailangan na natin maglagay ng ganyan sa mga upstream ay lalagyan natin pagka praktikal, kung tama ay lalagyan natin ng Sabo Dam. Kung hindi, ito lang muna, ‘yung mga harang lang muna para hindi mabara ‘yung dam natin para tama ang takbo ng tubig.”
President Marcos Jr. also shared that water levels in certain sections of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) have already started to subside, expressing optimism that it would eventually enable the resumption of regular traffic flow along Luzon’s major transportation corridor.
After the dam inspection, he paid a visit to the Barangay Sta. Catalina Evacuation Center, which houses 58 families from Lubao, 86 from Sasmuan, four from Minalin, and two from the City of San Fernando.
He also met with the families staying at the Pagcor Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center, which is managed by the municipal government of Lubao. A total of 31 families stay at the municipal temporary shelter.
The Chief Executive then interacted with the families at the Provincial Evacuation Center and Isolation Facilities that house 150 families from three towns and one city in Pampanga.
Local social welfare officials said each family received P10,000 cash assistance in addition to hygiene, sleeping, and kitchen kits. They also received family food packs and regular meals.
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