CITY OF MALOLOS– The whole Province of Bulacan is now under the State of Calamity as Governor Daniel R. Fernando ratified Panlalawigang Kapasiyahan Blg. 581-T’2024 due to southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Carina.
Fernando stressed the need for the declaration of the State of Calamity because of the vast damage the flooding brought to the agriculture, livestock, and infrastructure in Bulacan.
“Kailangang kailangan iyan dahil unang una ang ating agricultural damages is almost P103,775,818.85 including fisheries, ‘yung livestock and hogs natin ay halos P2,091,600 and P789 million in infrastructure,” the governor said.
Prior of the declaration, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, chaired by Gov. Daniel Fernando, recommended to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan to place the province under a state of calamity after holding a full council emergency meeting.
Fernando said the province aims to strengthen its response in providing assistance and carrying out rehabilitation of damages left by “Carina.”
According to the initial report of Rowena Tiongson, head of the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, 21,504 families were directly affected by the typhoon.
In addition, the provincial government will also build two units of amphibian vehicles to respond to affected families.
Meanwhile, Fernando and Vice Gov. Alex Castro personally started distributing relief goods to the Bulakenyos affected by five-feet deep flood.
A total of 718 individuals belonging to 199 families from the Barangay Malis, Ilang-Ilang, Tuktukan, Santa Rita, Tiaong, and Santa Cruz in Guiguinto were the first to receive relief goods.
Aid was also brought to 580 families in Barangay Pandayan and Calvario in Meycauayan City, and 85 families in Barangay Pio Cruzcosa in Calumpit.
“The important thing now is that we can give food to those in the evacuation center and others who are still at home with floodwater. We have already asked for assistance from the DSWD for food packs, and also, the provincial government will also provide relief goods to different towns and cities in the province,” said Fernando.
According to the latest data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office around 8:00 a.m. on July 26, a total of 185 barangay from three cities and 12 towns are still affected by one to five feet deep flood water, and 29,938 people or 10,024 families temporarily took shelter in various evacuation areas throughout the province.
All major roads in Bulacan are already passable, but motorists are advised to take precautionary measures in traversing minor and inner roads due to some portions that are still under flood water.
According to District Engineer Henry Alcantara of the DPWH-First District Engineering Office (DEO), they have already deployed a disaster response team and equipment, particularly in critical roads that have a high risk of flooding due to the devastation caused by the southwest monsoon and “Carina.”
“Quick response assets were strategically positioned along key areas of the DEO’s jurisdiction, including Manila North Road, Maharlika Highway, Bigaa-Plaridel Road, and Plaridel Bypass Road, to ensure swift emergency response, conduct immediate clearing operations, and maintain public mobility on these national roads,” said Alcantara.
District officials also conducted on-site inspections including the Assistant District Engineer’s Office under the leadership of Engr. Brice Erickson Hernandez and section chiefs to check the roads covered by their office and assist stranded individuals due to the continuous rain. (UnliNews Online)
