SAN MARCELINO, Zambales — The Office of the Vice President (OVP) distributed more than 2,000 food packs and other relief supplies to families affected by monsoon rains in three barangays in San Marcelino, Zambales, last month.
The relief operation covered 1,000 families in Barangay Sta. Fe, 800 in Barangay Buhawen and 500 in Barangay Aglao, providing assistance to residents recovering from the effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat.
The assistance included relief packs, medical kits, rice and drinking water to help meet the immediate needs of affected households.
The municipal government, led by Mayor Elvis Ragadio Soria, and the Sangguniang Bayan, headed by Vice Mayor Jimbo Ragadio Gongora, coordinated with the OVP in distributing the assistance.
Also involved in the operation were the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, headed by Arsenio Edar Mauricio III; Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, headed by Sahra Soria; and the municipal motorpool.
Personnel from the San Marcelino Municipal Police Station, led by Police Major Exodus Rodriguez; Bureau of Fire Protection, led by Fire Inspector Allan Lanuza; and the 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company also provided support.
Soria thanked Vice President Sara Duterte and the OVP for extending assistance to residents affected by the calamity.
The mayor said the support extended by national government agencies and private organizations was helping local communities recover, particularly families that suffered the most from the monsoon rains.
While conditions in the affected barangays have gradually returned to normal, Soria stressed the importance of sustained assistance as residents work to restore their livelihoods and resume their daily activities.
Beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude to the OVP and Duterte for the relief supplies.
The municipal government said it would continue coordinating with national government agencies and other partners to ensure that assistance reaches residents who need it most.