Bacolor, Pampanga — A total of 110 families from this flood-stricken town received critical relief aid from the national government as monsoon rains and recent tropical disturbances continue to inundate parts of Central Luzon.
Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rex Gatchalian personally led the distribution of essential items—including food packs, hygiene kits, sleeping kits, family clothing kits, and ready-to-eat meals—to evacuees on Friday.
The provincial government, led by Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda, also contributed by providing hotdog sandwiches and bottled water to temporarily displaced families.
Gatchalian said the relief operation is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive of sustained response and medical preparedness amid back-to-back calamities. “Ang instructions ng ating Pangulo ay no let-up,” the secretary said. “Relief operations must continue.”
The 110 Bacolor-based families are part of the 615,000 families already assisted by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) nationwide since the onset of the rainy season.
“Kaya pa ng DSWD. Nakahanda tayo para sa ganitong mga pagkakataon,” Gatchalian affirmed, noting the government’s readiness to respond to compounded weather emergencies.
Meanwhile, President Marcos has also ordered the deployment of medical teams to evacuation sites to help prevent disease outbreaks such as leptospirosis. “Kapatid ng social welfare at relief packs ang medikal na pagtugon,” Gatchalian said, citing collaboration with the Department of Health.
Governor Pineda expressed deep gratitude for the national government’s augmentation, stressing the limits of local government resources in dealing with prolonged flooding.
“Kung hindi mag-aaugment ang national government, talagang hindi kakayanin,” she said. “Ang calamity fund ng LGUs ay five percent lang, pero minsan, 10 barangay sa isang bayan ang apektado.”
The governor urged affected residents to immediately seek medical attention if symptoms of illness appear. “Meron po kaming mga nakahandang gamot sa ospital. Wag nyo pong palalain ang sakit ninyo,” she appealed.
Among the beneficiaries, 53-year-old Orieta Gagui shared her gratitude: “Dakal a dakal a salamat pu kekayu. Ala kami man pung aligtas gamit. Malan mi man ala kami. May naawa lang po sa amin na nagbigay ng damit.”
As monsoon rains continue, Secretary Gatchalian assured that the national government remains fully mobilized.
“Sa disaster response, talagang naka-prepare ang pamahalaang nasyonal—not just the DSWD but the entire inter-agency response system,” he said.
This ongoing relief mission forms part of the Marcos administration’s commitment to ensure that no Filipino family is left behind in times of crisis.
