The Pampanga provincial government led by Governor Lilia G. Pineda will not let up on its efforts to conduct relief and rescue operations in the flooded areas of the province.
This is apparent in the daily trips made by the governor and other officials of the provincial government to such flooded areas as San Simon, Apalit, Candaba, Macabebe, Masantol and San Luis to personally assess the situation and confer with local officials.
As early as September 28, 2011, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) said that concerned agencies of the provincial government had already extended assistance to areas adversely affected by Typhoon Pedring.
The PDRRMC reported that some 10,000 packs of relief goods were provided to affected families mostly sheltered along the Arnedo Dike and other high grounds along the Pampanga River. Also assisted were the 62 evacuation centers established by the local government units (LGUs) through their respective Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officers (MWSDOs).
“Tuluy-tuloy and pamamahagi ng relief goods upang maibsan naman ang paghihirap na dinaranas ng mga kababayan nating nasalanta ng bagyo,” assured the governor who personally leads the relief operations.
It was also reported that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 3 Office provided 7,150 packs of relief goods and biscuits. Other private organizations such as San Miguel Corporation, Maynilad, Pampanga Chamber of Commerce, Red Cross, Pampanga’s Best, Mekeni Foods Corporation and Mayor Jomar Hizon of Bacolor provided food packs, meat products, fresh chicken, eggs, and bottled water to affected families.
SMART Communications and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) established “libreng tawag” booths for families who want to communicate with their loved ones while Globe Telecommunications committed to provide relief goods to the province’s flood victims.
The provincial government and the PDRRMC assisted the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) in deploying six rescue teams in the towns of San Simon, Apalit, San Luis, Candaba, Macabebe and Masantol.
On the part of the national government, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo came to the Pampanga Action Center at the Benigno Aquino Memorial Hall and conferred with the governor regarding the necessary actions to be taken to alleviate the conditions of the affected families.
Robredo also ordered LGUs to intensify their coordination with local MDRRMCs relative to evacuation and relief operations.
Other national government agencies have also been doing their part such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) monitoring the prices of basic commodities, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) conducting immediate clearing operations in flood stricken areas and repair of damaged roads and bridges in affected areas and the Department of Agriculture (DA) conducting an assessment of damage to crops and livestock.
With Pampanga bearing the brunt of damage from recent typhoons, the governor once again emphasizes the urgency of concrete action to minimize future impact.
“Patuloy ang pakikipag-ugnayan natin sa mga pwedeng makatulong upang mapagaan natin ang sitwasyon.”
She refers to productivity centers of the Technological Resource Centers (TRC) properties of the National Housing Authority (NHA) as temporary evacuation centers and staging areas and possible resettlement sites, respectively, for displaced families.
While the problems from typhoons and floodings have intensified, the governor expressed optimism that with the joint and renewed efforts of the local and national government, the private sector and the cooperation of the endangered families as well, “malalampasan natin lahat ng problema”. ( Pampanga PIO)
