Aquino brings cheers and distributes relief
goods to flood victims in Montalban, Rizal
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the
distribution of family packs to residents of Montalban, Rizal affected by what
is now known as Habagat 2012, a more than a week-long deluge that brought
torrential rains and floods over a large portion of Metro Manila and nearby
provinces, at the Kasiglahan Elementary School on Sunday.
Joining the President for the distribution of
the much needed food and clothing contained in the family packs which were
provided to some 1,560 families were Rizal Governor Casimiro Ynares and
Rodriguez, Rizal Mayor Cecilio Hernandez.
In his short message, the President assured the
residents that the government was doing all it could to ease the suffering of
all Filipinos displaced by the floods.
“Ang maipapangako ko lang ho sa inyo, hindi kami
titigil, uumpisahan ang plano. Mabawasan na ang paghihirap natin dito, tungo sa
ganap na kaligtasan,” the President said.
He told them of a flood mitigation program that
will build a 100-kilometer ring-road dike along the rim of Laguna de Bay that
will finally put to a stop the perennial problem of flooding in Rizal and
nearby provinces.
This dike forms part of a flood mitigation
master plan conceptualized by the Department of Public Works and Highways that
aims to develop a safe society that is resilient to floods.
To be built at a reported cost of
P351.72-billion, the plan consists of “high priority” flood mitigation programs
such as improving drainage and floodway systems in Metro Manila, Cainta,
Taytay; Malabon; Meycauayan; Valenzuela and land-raising for small cities
around Laguna lake; and improvement of inflow rivers to Laguna lake.
The total number of families affected in Rizal
Province is 54,199 or some 270,581 individuals with 9,106 families, or 47,204
individuals, from Montalban. The national government has so far allocated
approximately P4-million worth of goods while local government was able to give
P700,000-plus worth of assistance. (rck)
Aquino assures flood victims families of
Manggahan floodway that government will provide them housing projects to ensure
their safety
President Benigno S. Aquino III assured that
government will provide housing projects for families residing in the Manggahan
floodway to ensure their safety from massive floods triggered by heavy rains.
In his message to the residents of Cainta, Rizal
who were temporarily residing in the evacuation centers in the municipality,
the Chief Executive announced that there are plans to clear the Manggahan
floodway of informal settlers to ensure their safety.
President Aquino visited the displaced residents
at the Kabisig Elementary School in Barangay San Andres in Cainta, Rizal. He
also led the distribution of relief goods to the residents who were affected by
Habagat 2012. The residents in Maggahan Floodway and other low lying areas in
Barangay San Andres were evacuated to the Kabisig Elementary School and other
evacuation centers
The President said the Manggahan floodway was
built to prevent massive floodings in Metro Manila but it was not able to serve
its full function as a key drainage infrastructure during the times of storms
and heavy rains due to informal settlers. The Manggahan floodway serves parts
of Marikina City, Pasig City and the municipalities of Cainta and Taytay in
Rizal.
"Nung patungo dito, nakita ko ang Maggahan
spillway at may mga bahay sa loob.....Sa spillway po dadaloy ang tubig
palabas... at tapos tinitirhan ang daanan ng tubig. Medyo hindi yata tama ang
nangyari diyan at makikita po natin pag lumipad sa helicopter na maraming
nakatirik na bahay diyan. Pag nagtirik na ng bahay diyan sigurado masasalanta,"
he said.
The President said he discussed with Governor
Casimiro A. Ynares III that one of the solutions to massive flooding is the
construction of a 100-kilometer dike at the Laguna de Bay. The National
Greening Program is also part of the flood mitigation program, according to the
President.
President Aquino said the residents living in
the Manggahan floodway will be transferred to government housing sites in other
places. He said he is deeply concerned about the plight of the residents who preferred
to stay in the floodway because of the proximity to their workplace.
"Siguro i-subsidize natin ang
transportation expenses... pag-aaralan natin ang concerns nila. Kailangan
magsakripisyo tayo at ito namang sakripisyo natin ay may patutunguhan at safe
tayo. Hindi natin magagawa iyan kung walang cooperation," he said.
The President lauded the local officials of
Rizal Province led by Governor Ynares, Rizal 1st District Representative Joel
Duavit and Cainta Mayor Mon Ylagan for their immediate response to the needs of
the affected families.
The total number of families affected in Cainta
is 4, 679 families or 28,334 residents, according to Social Welfare and
Development Secretary Corazon Soliman. The displaced families are termporarily
residing in 42 evacuation centers in the municipality. (js)
Aquino acknowledges efforts of volunteers in
helping out prepare family food packs for flood victims
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed on
Sunday his deepest gratitude on behalf of a grateful nation to the hundreds of
students and professionals who willingly volunteered their time and industry by
re-packing and distributing family packs to help families displaced by the
recent floods.
Speaking before some 700 volunteers busy in
re-packaging various food products that would soon be distributed to the flood
victims at the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s National Resource
Operations Center in Pasay City, the President said it was time to acknowledge
these volunteers who, through their efforts, have made their less fortunate
brethren feel loved and not alone.
“‘Yung lahat ng natulungan nating mga
kababayan…‘pag natatanggap po itong mga relief packs na hinanda niyo, nadarama
nila ang pagmamahal ng kapwa nila Pilipino. Nadarama nilang hindi sila
nag-iisa, may kadamay sila sa trahedyang ito,” the President said.
“Ako naman po, sa mga volunteers, gusto ko lang
i-acknowledge kayong lahat,” he added.
Among these volunteers are members of Pag-asa
Youth Association of the Philippines; University of Perpetual Help, Las Piñas
campus; Samahan ng mga Kababaihan ng Antipolo City; Federation of Student
Government of Makati; Asian Institute of Management; Philippine Star; Gatos and
Reyes family; Philippine Air Force; Union Transport Incorporated Shared
Services;
Camp Crame Police Community Relations;
University of Makati; Globe; Kababaihan Truly Cares; Our Lady of Airways Parish
Church; Life Faith in Jesus Ministry; Office of Pasay City Hall; Civil Defense
Action Group and the I-Serve Quezon City; Calixto Forever Movement; Pantawid
Pamilya beneficiaries of Barangay 196 Parañaque; Salsatrends Urdaneta Makati;
Don Bosco, Muntinlupa; and 7-11.
The President said that according to the DSWD,
the volunteers have already repacked a total of 129,170 food packs with some
101,338 already distributed to the victims.
“Sa ngalan ng sambayanan, maraming-maraming
salamat po. Kapag may trahedya doon natin nakikita ang kagalingan ng
Pilipino...kung saan ang kapwa nagmamalasakit sa kapwa. Ulit, sa ngalan po ng
bansa, sa ngalan po ng ating mga kababayan, talagang malaking-malaking
pasasalamat po sa bawat isa sa inyo,” he concluded. (rck)
