Dinalupihan Civic Center, Bataan
10 August 2012
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the relief goods distribution to 25,000 families severely affected by the flooding brought by the southwest monsoon in Dinalupihan City, Bataan.
In his message, President Aquino assured the flood victims that they will investigate on the possible cause of the flooding in order to deliver realistic and reasonable solution to permanently solve, if not help mitigate flooding problems.
“Naka-alalay ang gobyerno, kayo ang boss namin, gagawin namin ang lahat para maisaayos ito,” the President said.
He also sought help from the members of the media to partner with the government in providing factual information regarding situational reports in order to effectively and efficiently allocate resources and funding. He said that inaccurate reports had circulated in the news putting the population of Bataan close to half a million instead of 200,000 as what is on record.
According to City Mayor Joel Jaime Payumo, this is the worse flood incident recorded in more than 30 years in history, even surpassing the disastrous 2009 typhoon Ondoy. Out of 48 barangays, 28 have been submerged in floodwaters with some areas reaching up to eight feet high. Even the municipal building was not spared when floodwaters reached its ground level up to a foot high. Rehabilitation of the city is already being enforced, restoring 95% of electric power to its residence since last night. He also sought budget allocation from the President to finance infrastructure repair to be carried out immediately to rebuild dams and classrooms destroyed by the flooding.
The family food packs being distributed consist of 3 kilograms of NFA rice, 6 pieces of assorted canned goods, 6 pieces of noodle packs and 6 pieces of coffee sachets which will be handed out to 1,000 affected families for this day. The Emergency Response Center of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will also provide food for work and cash for work programs to facilitate immediate restoration and rehabilitation of the city. They will continue to visit other affected barangays in the locality to hand out family food packs. Other relief supplies such as clothing, beddings and hygienic products were already distributed in advance.
Under the directive of Health Secretary Enrique Ona, the Bataan General Hospital has already carried out several medical missions in flood-affected areas where they give out free medical check ups, vaccines, vitamins and preventive medicines such as Prophylaxis for leptospirosis and anti-tetanus drugs.
Evacuees from five different evacuation sites have already returned to their homes and are now busy with the restoration.
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