Taguig placed under state of calamity

MANILA, Philippines - To facilitate the recovery of its 19 flood-affected barangays, the Taguig City Council has passed a resolution placing the city under a state of calamity, Mayor Lani Cayetano said yesterday.

According to the resolution, at least 20 percent of the city’s population was affected by the floods brought by Typhoon Maring and the monsoon.

The city government yesterday deployed medical teams to the flood-affected barangays as part of its recovery and rehabilitation operations, Cayetano said.

She led the distribution of 16,000 packs of relief goods to families affected by the recent monsoon or habagat rains that started pounding Metro Manila on Monday.

“We continue to look after those affected by the floods and the heavy monsoon rains. Aside from the families in our evacuation centers, we also distributed to those who chose not to leave their homes,” Cayetano said.

She said each relief pack contains three days’ worth of food for every family – three kilos of rice, canned goods, coffee, noodles, biscuits and other grocery items.

Meanwhile, Dr. Isaias Ramos of the city health office said the medical missions focused on the most affected barangays cited by the city social welfare and development office. These are Barangays Lower Bicutan, Bagumbayan, Fort Bonifacio and Palingon.

Yesterday, medical missions were conducted at Purok 1A, Lower Bicutan covered court and at Severina covered court, Bagumbayan. Today, the medical teams will be sent to Sitio Una, Barangay Fort Bonifacio and at the Tartaria covered court in Palingon.

Ramos said they will give prophylaxis for leptospirosis during the medical missions and also monitor cases of pneumonia and other illnesses.

Cayetano said many of those in the evacuation sites have started to return home. “The number continues to go down as floodwaters recede in some areas,” she said.

Several private companies and individuals helped in the relief operations. Aboitiz Foundation funded P1 million worth of relief packs for flood victims and the MVP Group of Companies also made considerable donations. Smart Communications Inc. also set up a free call booth in the evacuation center and allowed distressed Taguigenos to call their loved ones, family and friends.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Navy and the Marines lent rubber boats for the easy navigation of flooded areas.