THE local government of Masantol, through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development, on Thursday morning, July 19, distributed relief goods to flood-stricken families in several barangays.
Mayor Danilo Guintu led the distribution of relief boxes to 2,000 families coming from San Isidro Matua, San Nicolas, Sto. Niño, Sta. Lucia Matua, Sta. Lucia Anac and Paguiaba villages at the municipal hall grounds.
The relief boxes contain rice, canned goods, instant noodles and biscuits which are expected to augment the needs of the typhoon victims whose houses remain submerged in up to knee-deep floods, he said.
“This is just small assistance because we understand that their lives are somehow affected by the flooding that we are experiencing in the town. We hope that this relief packs can help their families’ food needs in the coming days,” Guintu said.
The mayor said that the distribution is just initial and other flood victims in other barangays, especially those residing in the left bank portion of this town, are also set to receive relief packs in the coming days.
He said that with the declaration of state of calamity in the town, the local government was able to mobilize its calamity funds, which will be used to provide relief assistance to Masantoleño flood victims.
Based on the data of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), at least 5,514 families or 25,460 individuals are affected by the flooding brought about by typhoons “Henry” and “Inday” and high level tide incidents.
As of Thursday afternoon, the whole town remains under state of calamity as the local government and residents were just gearing for the expected descent of floodwaters from the upstream which is foreseen to aggravate the flooding situation here.
Guintu said that the local government continues to conduct comprehensive monitoring activities of all barangays and the Pampanga River to ensure the safety of all residents.
He advised Masantoleños to remain alert and cooperate with the MDRRMC staff should they conduct forced evacuation in areas that are deemed dangerous.
“Masantoleños always rationalize flooding, saying they are used to it and have grown older with it. But I hope we will not reach the point that we will risk our safety with that reasoning. If you are asked to evacuate, please be cooperative because we are doing this for your own safety,” he said.