CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Some 24 families whose homes were damaged due to the collapsed sheet piles along Sapang Balen Creek in Barangay Pulung Bulu here have received relief goods, school supplies and cash assistance from the local government unit of San Fernando over the weekend.

The distribution was led by Mayor Edwin Santiago, Vice-Mayor Jimmy Lazatin, City Social Welfare Officer Aileen Villanueva, City Engineer Anele David, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Raymond Del Rosario, Local Housing and Settlement Section Chief Louie Clemente, and barangay officials headed by Captain Ernesto Carreon, Jr.

Last week, at least 35 families here were displaced due after southwest monsoon rains pounded the province. Among the evacuated residents were 16 families whose houses were swept away on June 8 by a sudden gush of water which caused soil erosion in Sapang Balen Creek where they are situated.

Six houses were totally washed out by the said erosion, while ten of them were partially destroyed, but were already declared as unsafe and hazardous for occupancy. The affected families were evacuated from their houses to ensure their safety.

About 48 individuals are currently staying at the Camp Center in Barangay Pulung Bulu while other affected families preferred to stay with relatives,” officials said.

Meanwhile, Santiago told SunStar Pampanga on Monday, June 18, that the City Government is now coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for immediate action.

“We are now coordinating with DPWH for engineering intervention to safeguard the creek and prevent any further collapse or erosion there,” he said.