Mayor Honrado Leads Relief Aid to Flood Victims

A child rides piggy-back to safety while his mother is assisted by rescuers in the rising floodwater.

           The torrential rain that continually lasted for more than 48 hours starting September 1 and up to the late part of the third day caused flash floods in several barangays which resulted in the evacuation of many residents into safe areas.  Mayor Demie John C. Honrado note the unusual volume of water that began filling drainage canals and the low-lying areas in the poblacion vicinities in the early evening and he immediately alerted the City Social Welfare and Development, the PNP, BFP and the 1911 DART rescue group.  In the early morning of September 2, still without sleep, he supervised the evacuation of families in affected areas, manning the multi-purpose gymnasium for the orderly accommodation of evacuees.  He also called in the logistical requirements for food and medicines.

            Reports from the City Social Welfare and Development Office stated that 77 families comprising 364 persons dwelling near the riverbanks and creeks were brought to the evacuation centers, as follows:  Teen Circle and Veterans Affairs Office – 12 families from Brgy. Ayungon and five from relocation sites in Brgy. Batuan;  City Multi-purpose Gymnasium-three families from Brgy. II and nine from FJE Village and Had. Paz Purisima; Brgy. III Hall-17 families; Brgy. La Granja Hall-27 families and Brgy. RSB Hall with four families.  A total of six houses in brgys. Batuan and RSB were reported as totally damaged.  Partially damaged houses reached up to 14, with 12 in Brgy. Ayungon, one each from Brgy. Batuan and Brgy. RSB.

            The city government provided two sacks rice, 488 cans sardines, 328 sachet 3-in-1 coffee, three boxes instant noodles, five kls. Miswa, kerosene and firewood.  Cong. Jeffrey P. Ferrer visited the evacuation centers and donated two sacks rice and P1,000.  Other officials, NGOs and religious groups that extended relief goods and cash were Mayor Honrado-P2,000, SP member Luis J. Jalandoni III-P2,000 worth of meat, SPM Ciriaco D. Sia, Jr.-six dressed chicken, 200 pcs. Bread and five boxes of juice drink, the Church of Christ of the Latter Day Saints-six packs used clothing, mats, soap and blankets, Philippines National Red Cross-28 packs of food, Our Lady of Peace Parish-35kls. Rice, 30 cans sardines and 82 packs instant noodles, Mary Ann Damian-50 packs bread, 100pcs.disposable cups and electric fans and carpets for temporary use;  and Melba G. Guerra-coconuts and vegetables.  Ginebra San Miguel brought in 79 boxes of various foodstuffs, including fruit juices, milk and mineral water.

            Mayor Honrado, City Admin. Jerico D. Jalandoni, the 1911 rescue personnel and the PNP conducted a round-the-clock watch.  Julia M. Uy, CSWDO head and her personnel attended to the needs of the evacuees.  They were Ma. Elena C. Espartero, Angie S. Gelongo, Jessilyn M. Magno, Melende L. Eseller, Elena C. Bocablo, Eva F. Caballero, Ninfa M. Lo, Eda C. Bedija, Adriana S. Ranera, Dinah Z. Sunico, Eufemia S. Colmenares, Porfirio T. Jereza, Mary Jane A. Osorio, Winston Janson, Augustino Ledesma and Loren Largavista.  Teen Circle staff who also lent a helping hand were Erlinda Canja, Franklin Garsola, Julie Ann Bermudo, Laarni Hechanova and volunteer Mary Ann Damian.