Aquino resumes visits to flood affected areas,
starts with home province Tarlac in Central Luzon
President Benigno S. Aquino III visited his home
province Tarlac on Friday to assess the devastation of massive flooding in the
municipalities of Paniqui and Capas brought about by monsoon rains and led the
distribution of relief goods to affected families.
In his brief message in Paniqui, Tarlac, his
first stop, the President said he was visiting the province to see to it that
government assistance is reaching affected residents. He also wanted to know
what necessary infrastructure is needed to control the flood in the province.
The President visited the Apulid evacuation
center in Paniqui that currently houses 205 families or some 798 individuals.
There are 1,047 families affected by the floods in 14 barangays of Paniqui,
according to government figures.
After Paniqui, the President proceeded to Capas
assuring affected residents there of continuing government assistance. The
DPWH, he said, will also inspect roads and bridges damaged by the flood.
In his speech, the President said it is
heartwarming to see the flood victims not losing hope and remaining in high
spirits.
“Habang tayo ay lumalaban kakayanin natin lahat
ito, ‘yan ang pinakaimportante d’yan. Nandito ako para kumustahin kayo,
makipag-ugnayan sa ating mga opisyal ng probinsya, kasama natin ang ilang
kalihim natin para maumpisahan na ang mga kailangang iayos o kailangang
proteksyunan,” he told the evacuees in Sta. Lucia High School where some 105
affected families were staying.
The President also thanked other local
government units extending their assistance to the victims. He mentioned that
Albay has dispatched a 35-man rescue team, while Cagayan province committed not
less than 1,000 cavans of rice for the affected families.
Private companies such as San Miguel Corporation
and Yokohama Tire Philippines are also providing assistance to the flood
victims, the President said adding that he expects foreign donors to also help
the victims in the coming days.
Oil companies are also delaying price
adjustments, the President noted, giving disaster communities some relief in
the meantime while they are grappling to rebuild.
The DSWD distributed foods packs worth P250
containing rice, canned goods, noodles and coffee during the President’s visit
and have so far released P250,000 cash and non-cash assistance to the flood
victims.
Among those who accompanied the President during
his Tarlac sortie were Social Welfare Secretary Dinky Soliman, Public Works and
Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras,
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jessie Robredo and TESDA Director
General Joel Villanueva.
Tarlac Governor Victor Yap and Rep. Henry
Cojuangco were also present. (as/12:13pm)
Aquino declares August 17 as special non-working
day in Davao City in celebration of its 'Kadayawan Festival'
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
August 17 which falls on a Friday as a special (non-working) day in the City of
Davao in celebration of the Kadayawan Festival.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 432 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on July 12, upon the request of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to enable the people
to participate in the event.
The Kadayawan Festival is a weeklong celebration
and thanksgiving for nature’s bountiful harvest. The festivity is being
celebrated every 3rd Week of August in Davao. (js)
Aquino visits flood victims of Bataan, says
government committed to long term solutions to natural calamities
DINALUPIHAN, Bataan: President Benigno S. Aquino
III assured the government's commitment to come up with long-term solutions to
address the flooding problem and ensure the safety of the Filipinos especially
during the rainy season considering the country's susceptibility to typhoons
and weather disturbances.
In addressing the victims of massive flooding at
the Socio Civic Center, here, Friday, President Aquino gave the assurance
saying that apart from solving the flooding problem, the government is also
focusing on providing all the needs of the evacuees in various areas.
"Umasa ho kayo na ipaplano natin ng maayos
ang makatotohanang solusyon at magkakaroon ng kaginhawahan naman," the
Chief Executive said, adding, "basta umasa po kayo na sa relief nakahanda
po ang gobyerno ninyo, talagang kayo ang dapat asikasuhin at handang-handa po
and ating DSWD at ating rescue services na tumulong sa lahat," President
Aquino said.
He added that soon as the weather gets better,
experts from the DPWH will immediately work on the necessary actions and
formulate solutions to the massive floodings.
"Pagkatapos po nitong ulan at mapuntahan na
ng mga dalubhasa ng DPWH amongst others, mapag-aralan saan nanggagaling itong
tubig na ito, ano magagawa para maibsan ito babalikan po namin kayo para masabi
yung plano, kailan uumpisahan at kailan nyo maaasahan ang resulta po nito.
Aayusin natin... iyon po ang commitment," the President noted.
The Chief Executive personally visited the area
to assess the situation and provide assistance to some 25 thousand families who
were displaced by flooding brought by the recent weather disturbance.
The President was received by locals led by
Municipal Mayor Joel Jaime Payumo, District 1 Congresswoman Herminia Roman,
Vice Governor Efren Pascual and other local government officials.
The Chief Executive led in the distribution of
1000 family food packs composed of sardines, coffee, sugar, medicines and 3
kilos of rice. Beddings and garments were also provided by the local social
welfare and development office.
Also present during the event were Energy
Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, Secretary Singson, Technical Education Skills
Development Authority Director General Joel Villanueva and Communications
Development and Strategic Planning Office Secretary Ramon Carandang.
(jcl/3:00p.m.)
Aquino assures San Fernando residents in
Pampanga of govt assistance; urges continuing volunteerism
President Benigno S. Aquino III arrived in San
Fernando, Pampanga on Friday leading the government efforts to bring relief
assistance to residents affected by massive flooding in Luzon.
Pampanga residents must remain hopeful because
the government as well as the private sector continue to extend help to the
flood victims, the President said.
“Maraming kababayan natin ang tumutulong kaya
huwag tayong masyadong mag-alala na mapapabayaan kayo dito. Handa tayong
tumulong hanggang kailangan kayong tulungan,” he told the evacuees in Sto. Nino
Elementary School in San Fernando.
For instance, the government of Isabela province
is sending rice, while Albay provincial government has sent a rescue team.
Also, private corporations donated relief goods, the President said.
The national government will continue to
coordinate with local officials for the speedy distribution of relief goods and
other assistance to affected residents, he said
At the same time he appealed for the people to
continue upholding the spirit of volunteerism for the country to move forward
after the recent devastation.
The government will also act on a flood control
system in Pampanga, the President said noting however that such a huge
infrastructure project will take time to complete.
The President also expressed his disappointment
against people sowing misinformation vowing to go after pranksters. Their deeds
add to public confusion during times of disaster, he said.
Twenty-two out of 35 barangays in San Fernando
were affected by the flood. The Department of Social Welfare and Development
reported that as of Friday there are more than 16,000 families affected by the
calamity in San Fernando.
San Fernando is the fourth Luzon location
President Aquino visited on Friday. The chief executive started his
four-province tour in his home province of Tarlac, and also visited Bataan and
proceeded to Bulacan after his stop in Pampanga. (as)
Aquino vows to address flooding problem in
Bulacan, sought backing of local allies
President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed to address
the flooding problem in Bulacan as he visited the province to assess the damage
of the flood as well as lead relief efforts there.
The President said that while a major flood
control system could prevent or mitigate flooding in Bulacan and Metro Manila
he said its construction could take a few years.
“Pipilitin natin na talagang mabawasan natin ito
para pagdalaw ko naman sa susunod dito sa Bulacan hindi na baha ang kaharap
namin,” the President told Bulacan evacuees during his visit in the province on
Friday.
“Sa ngayon trabaho muna tayo nang trabaho dahil
dapat ang gobyerno umaalalay sa inyo. Kayo ang mga boss namin, dapat bawasan
namin ang mga dinadanas ninyo sa ngayon. Maasahan po ninyo, tatapusin natin
lahat ng kailangang gawin dito,” he added.
The President said he will also consult local
government officials in Bulacan to address the problem adding that with the
help of his local allies his administration could justify budget requirements
for a flood control project once it reaches Congress.
The eight-kilometer dike project being proposed,
which would shield the CAMANAVA area as well as some areas in Bulacan, could
cost more than P2 billion and would require two to three years to build, the
President said in a previous statement.
There are 339 families in Malolos, Bulacan,
affected by the flood. The President led the distribution of food packs
containing rice, canned goods and noodles to the flood victims. The chief
executive also went to Paombong to provide relief assistance.
Bulacan is the President’s last stop in his
four-province tour of the flooded areas in Luzon. He started his visit in his
home province of Tarlac and then proceeded to Bataan and Pampanga, then
Bulacan. (as)
