Aquino, government officials visit flood-hit areas

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - President Benigno Aquino III, along with some Liberal Party stalwarts, trooped to Barangay Sto. Nino in this city to distribute relief goods to thousands of flood victims and to assess the southwest monsoon’s damages in the province.

Aquino arrived from Tarlac and Bataan with Joel Villanueva of the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (Tesda), and Aurora Representative Juan Edgardo Angara, Energy Secretary Jose Almendras, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and Akbayan spokesperson Risa Hontiveros.

Governor Lilia Pineda and Capitol officials, Mayor Oscar Rodriguez and other leaders in Pampanga also assisted Aquino.

The President said the National Government and some private sector representatives will oversee the immediate needs of residents affected by flooding.

Aquino assured Pampanga officials and some 1,500 evacuees at the Sto. Nino Elementary School that funds are available for recovery and rehabilitation.