Ex-lawmaker appeals to Manila school for aid

STO. TOMAS -- Former representative Juan Pablo Bondoc sought the assistance of the Xavier School community in San Juan City, Metro Manila to help some 100,000 families in eight towns affected by massive flooding.

Bondoc, who graduated high school from Xavier School in 1986, sent an e-mail to his batch mate Stanley Cheng, to appeal for any form of help in behalf of his fellow Kapampangans who are currently suffering due to inundated flooding brought about by the monsoon rains.

On Friday, Bondoc together with Board Member Nestor Tolentino, Pelco 1 director Edgar Sagum and John Sambo, husband of Marjorie Morales-Sambo, spearheaded a rescue and relief operation in flooded barangays in Sto. Tomas and Minalin.

“This is the deepest flood in the history of our province, and the eight towns of the 4th district are all under water. We have been working hard to rescue residents still stranded atop the roofs of their houses, and the people are cold, wet and hungry. Families in the evacuation centers have run out of drinking water, dry clothes and food,” Bondoc said in his letter to Cheng.

Bondoc said he has been going around the flooded towns using a dump truck lent by friends, giving out relief goods from the Provincial Government, as well as from private donors.

“We have six more towns to cover, so we are appealing to the Xavier Community to set aside relief goods for flooded residents of the towns of Macabebe, Masantol, San Simon, San Luis and Candaba. Any amount, any item will be a big help to ease the sufferings of the people. I’ll be more than glad to arrange for pick up of goods and facilitate their proper distribution in the province,” Bondoc said in the letter.

Bondoc, in a phone interview on Saturday, said he was very grateful to his batchmate for being the voice of the Xavier Community, adding that in behalf of his kabalens in the 4th district, he is very grateful for all the help extended to the thousands of flood victims in the eight towns and the whole province as well.

Bondoc, who met with Governor Lilia Pineda on Friday, personally thanked the governor for her unwavering support in addressing the needs of flood victims all over the province.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat natin na meron tayong mapagmahal at mapagkalinga na Nanay Gob, na walang sawa at walang tigil na tumutulong sa mga nasalanta ng baha di lamang sa aming distrito kundi sa buong probisya. I can truly say that she is the best governor Pampanga has ever had,” he said.

On Sunday, Bondoc together with Tolentino distributed relief goods to 18 of the 25 barangays in Macabebe.

He said the Xavier school already donated 600 packs of relief goods with assorted canned goods, rice, biscuits, bottled water including blankets and mattresses.

“Malaki ang pasasalamat namin sa Xavier school at sa iba pang mga eskuwelahan at NGOs (non-government organizations) na tumulong sa ating mga ka-distrito,” Bondoc said.

The former lawmaker said they have come up with 7,000 packs of relief goods to be distributed in all the eight towns of the 4th district that are being given to the barangay chairmen of the affected villages for proper distribution to their constituents

"Simula noong Friday hanggang Sunday ay nakapamigay na tayo ng relief goods sa mga bayan ng Sto. Tomas, Minalin, Macabebe and Masantol and susunod natin sa darating na mga araw ang Apalit, San Simon, San Luis at Candaba," Bondoc said. (Chris Navarro)