Provincial government gives P20k aid each to 33 barangays in Candaba

All 33 barangays in Candaba town in Pampanga, which is one of the heavily-flooded towns in the province, were each given financial assistance of P20,000 from the provincial government for the implementation of post-disaster related activities in their respective areas.

The said funds will be utilized in the conduct of household census, clean-up drive, and monitoring of damages in their respective localities, according to provincial administrator Atty. Andres Pangilinan Jr.

It shall also be used for the monitoring and assessment of activities of the province regarding the extent of damages brought by typhoons Pedring and Quiel.

Pangilinan was instructed by Governor Lilia Pineda to direct the village chiefs to submit survey reports on the actual number of senior citizens and children per household as this would facilitate the provision of needed services and intervention especially in times of calamities like the recent heavy flooding in this province.

"The data should be complete for us to be able to extend our assistance and services especially in times of calamities so that people would know that we're giving each of them the same services," Pangilinan said.

He also enjoined the barangay captains to check and coordinate with public elementary schools needing clean-up assistance and services.

"The governor earlier issued instructions for the formation of Capitol work teams which would assist the various flood-affected schools in their clean-up drive and this would be done in coordination with the barangays and municipal fire marshalls," Pangilinan said.

He reminded the barangay captains to submit the corresponding reports to the provincial capitol as these shall serve as basis for the assistance to be given to the affected families.

With this, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Engr. Lulu Alingcastre briefed the barangay captains on the conduct of household survey and damage monitoring and provided them with the necessary report forms.

Barangay Poblacion chief Benny Ocampo said that, "the financial aid from the provincial government is a big help to their planned clean-up drive in their municipality."

The provincial government also distributed calamity aid funds to flood-affected barangays in the towns of San Simon, Masantol, and Macabebe. Meanwhile, checks for the six barangays of Apalit that include Balucuc, Cansinala, Capalangan, and Sucad are ready for distribution. (PIA)