TARLAC CITY (PIA) — Families affected by flooding in several parts of Tarlac continue to receive food, water, and other essential support amid the prevailing effect of the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.
Following the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that aid reaches communities affected by natural disasters, the Office of the President, through the Office of the Presidential Assistant for Northern Luzon, delivered relief supplies to around 700 residents of Paniqui currently staying at the Sitio Bacao Evacuation Center.
Assistant Secretary Ana Carmela Remigio said the distribution forms part of the administration’s commitment to assist communities affected by calamities and other emergencies.
In Bamban, some 700 families in Barangays San Vicente, Santo Niño, and Anapul received Family Food Packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in coordination with the Provincial Government of Tarlac.
The provincial government said the distribution reflects the continuing coordination between national and local authorities to help affected residents meet their basic needs amid the inclement weather.
In Tarlac City, the local government, together with the DSWD and the City Social Welfare and Development Office, has also been visiting various barangays to identify families requiring additional support.
Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap likewise visited communities in the western portion of the city that were affected by the collapse of the Aquino and Agana bridges due to strong water currents brought by the rains from Habagat.
“Nakapagpaabot po tayo ng bigas, relief goods, at supply ng tubig para kahit paano ay makatulong sa pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan (We were able to provide rice, relief goods, and water supplies to help, in whatever way we can, with the daily needs of our fellow residents),” she said.
As the province remains under a state of calamity, the city government has also implemented curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. for individuals aged 18 and below to help ensure their safety and welfare amid elevated water levels and strong currents in the Tarlac River and other waterways in the city.
Support from the private sector has also reached communities affected by the flooding, with the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Tarlac distributing relief goods to families in La Paz, Capas, and Paniqui.
Meanwhile, transportation assistance from the provincial and city government remains available to residents affected by the collapse of the Aquino and Agana bridges.
The Municipal Government of Camiling has likewise begun offering free shuttle services to help ease travel disruptions caused by the damaged bridges.
Authorities are continuing to monitor weather conditions and water levels and have urged residents, particularly those in vulnerable areas, to remain alert, follow official advisories, and prioritize their safety as the province continues to experience the effects of Habagat. (CLJD/AJRR, PIA Region 3-Tarlac)