Taguig City govt distributes relief goods, thanks donors

Medical missions lined up

The local government of Taguig has begun distributing relief goods to all those affected by the heavy monsoon rains that left some 19 barangays of the city under water for days.

A total of 16,000 packs of relief goods had been distributed to the same number of families all over the city by a team of Taguig city officials led by Mayor Lani Cayetano and Rep. Lino Cayetano, who had been tending to those affected since the start of the onslaught of monsoon rains last Monday.

“We continue to look after those affected by the floods and the heavy monsoon rains. Aside from the families in our evacuation centers, we also distributed to those who chose not to leave their homes,” Mayor Lani said.

She said that each of the relief packs they distribute contains three days worth of food for every family. Specifically, it contains three kilos of rice, canned goods, coffee, noodles, biscuits and other grocery items.

The city government will also conduct simultaneous medical missions in the most affected barangays as part of the Taguig’s post-calamity programs.

According to Dr. Isaias Ramos of the City Health office, the two-day simultaneous medical missions will be conducted on Friday and Saturday in the most affected barangays cited by the City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD), which are Barangays Lower Bicutan, Bagumbayan, Fort Bonifacio and Palingon.

On Friday, medical missions will be conducted at Purok 1A, Lower Bicutan covered court and at Severina covered court, Bagumbayan. On Saturday, they will be conducted at Sitio Una, Barangay Fort Bonifacio and at the Tartaria Covered court in Palingon.

Also, Dr. Ramos said they will be giving prophylaxis for leptospirosis during the medical missions since most of the said barangays were submerged in high floods. They will also monitor cases of pneumonia and other sickness.

“We will still see to it that their needs will always be the first priority. We are doing the best we can to provide for the flood victims,” Mayor Lani stated.

The medical missions will be a whole day event that will start at 9 am in the morning.

Mayor Lani said that the evacuees have also started going home as the heavy rains stopped, from a high of 3,086 families or over 14,000 individuals in 35 evacuation centers set up by the city government.

“The number continues to go down as floodwaters recede in some areas,” Mayor Lani said.

“We are glad that several Taguigenos can now go back to their homes. But we will still see to it that their needs will always be the first priority. We are doing the best we can to provide for the flood victims.”

In evacuation centers, Taguig City officials continue to tend to evacuees by providing them with hot meals and medicine for those who are sick. They were also given mats and other needs.

Mayor Lani also expressed gratitude to all those who helped Taguig during the last four days of heavy monsoon rains and those who continue to extend aid even after the floods.

Several private companies and individuals helped in the relief operations. Aboitiz Foundation funded one million worth of relief packs for flood victims and the MVP Group of Companies also made considerable donations.

Smart Communications Inc. also set up a “Libreng Tawag” booth in the evacuation center and allowed distressed Taguigenos to call their loved ones, family and friends.

Local celebrities also lent a hand in the relief distribution, particularly Kris Aquino, Bianca Gonzales, Melissa Aboitiz Elizalde, KC Concepcion and Chef Florabel.

“We thank you for all your help in these times of need. Rest assured that your aid is deeply appreciated and will not go to waste,” Mayor Lani said.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy and the Marines also helped in the rescue operations conducted by lending rubber boats for easy navigation of flooded areas.

“We are encouraging our fellow Taguigenos to help. Taguig must work in solidarity to face the effects of this calamity.”

She added that those who still want to help in the relief operations may do so by going to the drop-off point at the Taguig City Auditorium. ###