Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval led the distribution of food packs and hot meals to families who sought temporary shelter in city’s evacuation centers due to flooding, high tide, and heavy rainfall brought by Typhoon Carina on Wednesday, July 24.
Sandoval went to several schools, including Longos Elementary School and Ninoy Aquino Elementary School, to assess the situation and determine the needs of the families staying there.
"Dahil po sa patuloy na pag-ulan na sinabayan pa ng high tide ay naapektuhan po ng pagbabaha ang ating lungsod. Alam namin ang dagok na nararanasan ng bawat isa sa atin ngayon. Marami ho ang na-rescue and nag-evacuate sa ating mga shelters. Huwag ho kayong mag-alala dahil patuloy po ang ating pamahalaang lungsod sa pagbibigay ng tulong pati rin sa mga operasyon para masigurong ligtas ang bawat Malabueño (Due to the ongoing rains combined with high tide, our city has been affected by flooding. We understand the difficulties each of us is experiencing right now. Many have been rescued and evacuated to our shelters. Please do not worry, as our local government continues to provide assistance and carry out operations to ensure the safety of every Malabueño)," she said.
The City Social Welfare and Development Department (CSWDD) prepared food packs for 283 families and provided 1,316 hot meals to evacuees at Ninoy Aquino Elementary School, Longos Elementary School, and Potrero Elementary School.
Meanwhile, the City Emergency Response Team on Wednesday, July 24, swiftly carried out rescue operations using boats, vehicles, and other equipment to help residents affected by heavy flooding in various barangays.
According to the Malabon Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), 114 families and 387 individuals were rescued on Wednesday.
MDRRMO said that several areas in the city, including Catmon People’s Park, Gov. Pascual, Sangciangco Street., and F. Sevilla corner Estrella were still experiencing 6 to 9 inches flood as of 7 a.m. on Thursday.
It added that the P. Aquino corner Dagat-Dagatan Avenue and the Catmon Super Health Center were still experiencing 13-inch deep flood.
CSWDD said that as of 6:30 a.m., on Thursday, July 25, a total of 1,063 families were staying at the 24 evacuation centers in the city.
Sandoval vowed that the city government will continuously provide aid to the affected families and will keep on monitoring flooded areas.
"Ang tanging hiling ko lamang po ay ang inyong kooperasyon. Huwag magatubiling makipag-ugnayan sa amin kung kinakailangan ninyo ng tulong dahil nandito kami para umalalay sa inyo (My only request is your cooperation. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us if you need assistance, as we are here to support you),” she said.
The mayor also urged the residents to coordinate with the City Central Command and Communications Center at (8-921-6009 / 8-921-6029/0942-372-9891 / 0919-062-5588) or send a message via TXT MJS (0917-689-8657/225687) for any inquiries or emergencies in their area.