Sunday 12 August 2012

PIA News Dispatch - Sunday, August 12, 2012


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)