“Kasama ninyo kami, at hindi po namin kayo iiwan.”
That was San Pedro City, Laguna Mayor Art Mercado’s pledge to residents of Barangay Landayan who are still affected by the flooding brought by recent natural calamities.
Mercado personally went to Landayan last Thursday, November 28, not only to assess the situation but also to distribute relief packs for residents who are suffering from the floods since the monsoon rains last July.
“Sa ngayon po, hinihintay po natin ang final numbers mula sa City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), pero sigurado po akong marami sa ating mga kababayan sa South Fairway Homes at iba pang bahagi ng Landayan ang ating naabutan at aabutan ng tulong,” Mercado reported in a message to OpinYon Laguna.
According to the local city executive, they decided to prioritize the distribution of relief packs to residents of South Fairway Homes and nearby areas.
This is because these communities which sit on the edge of Laguna de Bay have borne the full brunt of the monsoon rains that caused the lake to breach its maximum critical level – a fact that was later worsened by succeeding weather disturbances.
“Kasunod nito, tinutukan din natin ang iba pang lugar sa Brgy. Landayan na nangangailangan ng agarang tulong,” Mercado said.
“Naka-schedule na rin po ang pamamahagi sa iba pang apektadong barangay upang masiguro na lahat ay naaabot natin.”
Aside from relief packs, the city government is also preparing other services for residents of Barangay Landayan who were affected by flooding.
These include medical services, free medicines, additional food assistance, and continuous cleanup efforts inside flooded communities.
As for long-term solutions to the issue of flooding in Barangay Landayan and other coastal barangays in San Pedro City, Mercado also assured that the local government is coordinating with the national government and other local government units in Laguna province.
“Alam ko pong mabigat na ang sitwasyong dinaranas ng ating mga kababayan. Humihingi po ako ng paumanhin at lubos kong nauunawaan ang pagod at pangamba ng bawat pamilya. Patuloy po kaming kikilos—hindi lamang para mag-abot ng tulong, kundi para makahanap ng pangmatagalang solusyon,” the city mayor assured.
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