Relief efforts for monsoon-hit families
Residents affected by heavy rains and floods brought about by Tropical Cyclones Crising (international name Wipha), Dante (Francisco), Emong (Co-May) and the southwest monsoon (Habagat) received relief packs from One Meralco Foundation (OMF), the social responsibility arm of the Manila Electric Company (Meralco), as part of its disaster response efforts.
Over 2,700 families benefited from relief packs prepared by OMF with the help of employee volunteers from Meralco Business Centers, Meralco Rescue Team, and the Meralco Corporate Security Management. These include affected communities in the cities of Caloocan, Marikina, Quezon, Pasig, Makati, Taguig, Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Parañaque and the municipality of Pateros in Metro Manila, Bustos, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Obando, and City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Cainta, Montalban and San Mateo, Rizal, Bacoor City, Ternate, Dasmariñas City, and Amadeo, Cavite, San Pablo City, Calauan, Sta. Cruz, Calamba City and Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, with each relief pack containing essential goods as emergency aid for families.
While heavy rains battered Metro Manila on Tuesday, Meralco employee-volunteers continued packing relief goods and preparing the bags for wider distribution. Hours later, families in Barangays Nangka and Tumana, Marikina City who had to evacuate due to the rising water level of the Marikina River received relief packs.
Residents in Barangay Sto. Domingo in Cainta, Rizal who faced chest-deep floods at the height of the downpour, also received relief packs from OMF. For Francis Michael Magracia, one of the beneficiaries there, the relief packs are a big help to residents especially because high floodwaters made it difficult for residents to go out and buy food.
In Barangay Fairview, Quezon City where chest-deep floods enter homes, residents had to be relocated to nearby evacuation centers for safety. Josie Aranda, one of the residents there, said: "Nagpapasalamat ako na binigyan kami ng tulong, maka-survive man lang kami sa pang-araw-araw."
In Bulacan, OMF distributed relief packs to affected residents in the municipalities of Obando, Calumpit, Hagonoy, Bustos, and City of San Jose del Monte. Obando Vice Mayor Rowell Rillera, who led the relief distribution to the residents, highlighted the importance of the aid from OMF. "Nariyan kayo upang umagapay–isang patunay ng tunay na malasakit ng inyong organisasyon para sa mga nangangailangan. Ang inyong presensya at suporta ay malaking bagay sa isang maliit na bayan tulad ng Obando."
Senior citizen Luiz Manguera, a resident of Barangay Pio del Pilar in Makati City, had to stop working as a mechanic due to intense rains. He also had to move to an evacuation center when his home, where he lives alone, was inundated by knee-deep floods. Barangay Captain Popcorn Lacia said, "Malaking tulong po ito especially sa mga residente na hindi makapagtrabaho ngayon. The relief assistance is such a big help."
Meanwhile, in Barangay San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal and Barangay Manggahan in Pasig City, families and their pets also received relief packs from OMF and the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), in partnership with the Meralco Corporate Communications for its animal advocacy program CATropa.
Meralco employees also donated funds so more relief packs can be distributed to affected communities in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces in the coming days.
"The past few days have been challenging for many of our fellow Filipinos. To be of help during this time of need, OMF and Meralco employee-volunteers were immediately mobilized and tirelessly provided essential aid in collaboration with local governments and national agencies. We remain committed to serve and support our countrymen especially during times of crises," said One Meralco Foundation President Jeffrey O. Tarayao.