Laguna provincial gov't gives out relief goods

Thursday 9th of August 2012

SANTA CRUZ, Laguna, Aug 9 (PIA) -- The provincial government of Laguna in coordination with the Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWD), provincial emergency and rescue team and other non-government rescue and operations group distributed relief goods in seven evacuation centers here yesterday.

Laguna Governor Jeorge “E.R.” Ejercito-Estregan, with Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) Officer Ernesto Montecillo, Provincial Administrator Leonardo Ragasa and Pagsanjan Mayor Girlie Ejercito supervised the distribution of relief goods which contained two kilos of rice, canned goods and noodles to some 1,400 families housed in several elementary and secondary schools and sports complex which serve as evacuation centers here in Sta. Cruz.

The PSWD is repacking more relief goods for other evacuees in other evacuation centers here and in other municipalities.

Eighteen municipalities and more or less 6,000 families in the province were affected by monsoon rains as of yesterday, according to an unofficial figure from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

In an interview with a television network, Gov. Estregan said the province of Laguna is in dire need of support to provide the needs of families affected by the flooding caused by monsoon rains. Regular flooding in some parts of the province during the rainy or typhoon season caused a huge damage to agriculture and infrastructure.

Estregan then appealed to President Benigno S. Aquino III for the rehabilitation of Laguna de Bay since it is the major cause of flooding in the province and other areas in Metro Manila.

He said Laguna de Bay previously had a depth of 12 meters, but now it is only two meters deep due to siltation and rubbish. “The need to dredge the Bay and eventual relocation of illegal settlers are the calls of time,” Estregan added. (CPG/ACO,PIA4A)