Photo by: San Marcelino Public Informtaion Office
SAN MARCELINO, Zambales — Relief assistance continues to pour in for residents of Barangay Sta. Fe here who were severely affected by flooding brought by continuous rains enhanced by the southwest monsoon or Habagat.
On August 22, the Provincial Government of Zambales, led by Governor Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr., distributed 1,000 food packs to families affected by the calamity.
The Office of Civil Defense Region 3, through the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), also provided around 420 non-food items, including hygiene kits, to affected residents.
The provincial government likewise allocated 10 liters of potable water for families with children to help meet their daily needs amid the continuing situation.
Additional relief assistance was also provided by various private groups and organizations, including the Zambali Quarry Operators Association, The Legacy Memorial Park, St. William’s School of San Marcelino – Batch ’84, and the Rotary Club of San Marcelino.
Photo by: San Marcelino Public Informtaion Office
Because access to the other side of Sta. Fe remains difficult, relief goods were transported using two backhoes provided by the municipal and barangay governments to reach residents who had been isolated by the flooding and damage to the main access route.
San Marcelino Mayor Elvis Ragadio Soria personally visited the isolated portion of the barangay to check on the condition of residents and ensure that assistance was reaching those in need.
Soria expressed his appreciation to government agencies, organizations, and private groups that have continued to respond to the needs of Sta. Fe residents.
He said the assistance is a big help to families severely affected by the flooding, particularly as some areas remain inundated and residents continue to face limited mobility due to the damaged bridge that serves as a major access route to the town center.
Among those who received assistance was Conchita Raboy Fonseca, a resident of Sta. Fe, who said the food packs were a significant help to her family since they could not cross the damaged bridge to go to town and purchase their basic necessities.
Also joining the relief operation were Vice Mayor Jimbo Ragadio Gongora and members of the Sangguniang Bayan, namely Louella Aquino, Apolinario Abelon, Alex Beltran, Darrel Labio, Jeffrey Pimentel, Jose Gutierrez Jr., and Municipal IPMR Robert Dela Cruz.
The operation also involved PDRRMO Rolex Estella, MDRRMO Arsenio Edar Mauricio III, representatives from the Office of the Governor, Philippine Red Cross, Philippine National Police, 69th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Fire Rescue.
The Municipal Government of San Marcelino assured residents that it will continue to monitor the situation in Sta. Fe and coordinate with government agencies and private organizations to ensure the delivery of needed assistance to affected families.
The entire province of Zambales has been placed under a State of Calamity following the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council due to the widespread impact of flooding and continuous heavy rains.