Bulacan Governor Daniel R. Fernando and  Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Saturday, August 5, held a meeting at the DSWD Office in Quezon City to discuss the needs of families affected by heavy rains and flooding as well as assistance to alleviate the present situation in the province.

Discussed during their meeting were the delivery of additional relief goods, provision of financial assistance, and the approval of Emergency Cash Transfer (ECT) to be given to indigent population from the 17 towns and four cities that are still affected by heavy flooding.

The said provision of ECT was mandated by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., who is set to visit the province on Monday, Aug. 7,  to personally assess the current situations in Pampanga and Bulacan.

To help identify the beneficiaries of ECT, prompt coordination of the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) and DSWD Region 3 must be conducted.

Fernando expressed his appreciation and gratitude to the president and Gatchalian for their timely support and assistance to Bulakenyos.

“Nakakataba po ng puso para sa ating maagang pagbangon ang ating pagdalo sa isang pagpupulong na nagkaroon ng magandang bunga sa tulong ng ating itinuturing na kalalawigan at may tunay na puso sa paglilingkod, ang aking kaibigang DSWD Sec. Rex Gatchalian. Bukod po sa relief goods, tayo ay pagkakalooban ng financial assistance sa lalong madaling panahon para sa mga labis na napinsala ng mga bagyo at pagbaha (The meeting we had with my friend, DSWD Sec. Gatchalian, who I consider as a fellow resident of the province and has a good heart in service, that gained good results is very heartwarming. Aside from relief goods, financial assistance will be provided for those who were heavily affected by the Typhoon and floodings as soon as possible)," the governor said.

Also present during the meeting were Undersecretary Diana Rose S. Cajipe, MD, FPOGS, Assistant Secretary Marlon A. Alagao from Disaster Response Management Group, Assistant Secretary Ulysses C Aguilar, PSWDO Head Rowena Joson-Tiongson and Provincial Information Officer Katrina Anne Bernardo-Balingit.

According to the report prepared by Provincial Agriculture Officer Ma. Gloria SF. Carrillo, the heavy rains caused by southwest monsoon enhanced by typhoons “Egay” and “Falcon” left a total of P244,410,675.71 damages to agriculture and fisheries in the province.

Meanwhile, Provincial Veterinarian Dr. Voltaire G. Basinang reported a total of P24,260,800.00 damages to livestock and poultry due to the inclement weather.