Province of Abra — The Provincial Government of Pampanga, led by Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda, was quick to deliver thousands of relief goods to the victims of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Abra province and other parts of Luzon last July 27.
According to Governor Delta, the conduct of relief operations is a way for the Kapampangans to express their gratitude for the assistance they received from other provinces following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991.
“Nandito kami para maghatid ng kaunting tulong sa mga pamilyang lubhang naapektuhan ng nakalipas na lindol. Ito ay aming paraan ng pagsukli sa tulong na bumuhos sa amin noong pumutok ang Mt. Pinatubo noong 1991. Gusto po naming iparamdam sa inyo na hindi kayo nag-iisa, kasama niyo kami sa pagsubok na ‘to,” said the governor.
As of 5:00 PM of August 5, the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) has recorded a total of 2,688 aftershocks following the said earthquake that has an epicenter located in Tayum, Abra.
“Talagang mahirap, hindi na nga kami halos makatulog hanggang ngayon. Sana wala nang sumunod na lindol para makabalik na ‘yung mga tao sa kani-kanilang mga bahay. Pati pamilya ko, apektado rin. Kaya sobra po kaming nagpapasalamat kina Governor Delta sa tulong nila sa aming mga Abraeño,” said Abra Governor Dominic Valera.
The Pampanga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) made a resolution–which was later adopted and approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, led by Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda–to fund the food, non-food, and financial assistance given to the said victims.
Governor Delta, together with Pampanga Mayor’s League (PML) President and Apalit Mayor Oscar “Jun” Tetangaco, Jr. and Kapampangan volunteers, traveled more than 11 hours to send 20,000 food packs containing 5 kilograms of rice, 5 cans of corned beef, and 5 cans of sardines to thousands of families distressed by the tremor.
Aside from the food packs, 2,000 cavans of rice were also donated by the Pineda family, and 20,000 5-gallon water containers by various Pampanga quarry associations.
Governor Delta also turned over a total of P2-million financial assistance to the Provincial Government of Abra, P500-thousand to the municipality of Lapaz, and another P500-thousand to the municipality of Lagangilang.
“Tulad po naming mga Kapampangan, makababangon ho ulit tayo mula sa trahedyang ito, lalo na po kung may pagtutulungan at kooperasyon ang bawat isa,” said Governor Delta.
The provincial government also brought water purifiers and tankers in response to calls for clean drinking water.
The governor also acknowledged the efforts of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO), General Services Office (GSO), Provincial Information Office (PIO), Philippine National Police (PNP), Highway Patrol Group (HPG), and some volunteers from the PDY Ventures, Inc. for taking part in the relief operations.
It can be recalled that Pampanga was also one of the provinces to have helped victims of previous disasters that ravaged Tacloban, Batangas, Cagayan, Bohol, and Visayas. -Jasmine Jaso/Pampanga PIO
