Aquino visits flood victims in Pampanga, 3 provinces

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — President Benigno Aquino Jr. visited on Sunday Barangay Sto. Niño here to check on flood victims, after his visit in Tarlac and Bataan.

Aquino was welcomed by City of San Fernando Mayor Oscar Rodriguez, 3rd district Representative Aurelio Gonzales, Butil Representative Agapito Guanlao and Govenor Lilia Pineda at the Barangay Sto. Nino Elementary School here.

The President was accompanied by Cabinet secretaries and National Government officials during the less than 30-minute visit.

“We have enough funds for quick response. Rest assured that you will receive help,” Aquino said in Filipino.

Aquino distributed relief goods to the flood victims. The goods came from the funds of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) national office.

The President, however, left promptly after distributing a few relief packs. The distribution was continued by City Hall officials.

The City of San Fernando is among hardest hit areas in Pampanga.

According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, some families already went back to their homes as flooding in 10 barangays subsided.

Some 22 barangays out of the 35 barangays of the capital city have been affected by the flooding.

Some 18,025 families or 7,761 individuals were directly affected by the flooding.

City Mayor Oscar Rodriguez has led the relief operations for 1,414 families or 5,428 individuals with donations also coming from the Provincial Government of Pampanga.

The numbers of evacuation centers have been reduced from 33 to 11 as of August 11.

The city has recorded four casualties during the flooding.

Rescue operations are still ongoing in two barangays, as of this posting. (Ian Ocampo Flora)