Navotas residents receive rice packs as part of the local government’s”We Shall Rice” program. (Photo Courtesy: Navotas Public Information Office)
QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – Some 91,000 households in Navotas are set to receive 5-kilogram packs of rice following the city government’s relief efforts to residents affected by Super Typhoon Carina and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or “Habagat.”
The rice distribution program, dubbed as “We Shall Rice,” aims to provide basic support to families whose livelihoods are disrupted by the widespread flooding in the city due to heavy rains brought by the typhoon and southwest monsoon.
The flooding was also aggravated by high tide in light of the malfunctioning Tangos-Tanza navigational gate that is currently undergoing repairs.
“We understand the difficulties Navoteños are facing, and we are here to provide the necessary assistance and support. This rice distribution is just one of the many ways we aim to help Navoteños recover and return to their normal lives as soon as possible,” said Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco.
“We know Navoteños are resilient, as demonstrated by how we have weathered and triumphed over numerous storms. Let us continue to support one another and strive to overcome the challenges we face,” he added.
The distribution of rice packs started on Sunday, July 28, in Barangay Tanza 1 and 2, benefitting a total of 11,600 households.
The remaining beneficiaries are scheduled to receive their rice packs on July 29 for Barangay Tangos North and South, July 30 for Barangay San Roque and Daanghari, July 31 for Barangay San Jose, Sipac Almacen, Navotas East, and Navotas West, August 1 for Barangay Bagumbayan North and South, Bangkulasi, NBBN, and San Rafael Village, August 2 for NBBS Proper and NBBS Kaunlaran, and August 3 for NBBS Dagat-Dagatan.
Aside from the implementation of the rice distribution program, the local government previously distributed a sum of 28,000 kilograms of fish to residents as a means of support.
Meanwhile, Navotas continues to work closely with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to expedite the repair of the Tangos-Tanza navigational gate which was damaged last June.
It can be recalled that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. personally visited the site to assess the situation of the residents. He also directed the DPWH to implement emergency measures in order to mitigate the effects of the damage in the navigational gate.
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To date, the national government has already distributed P54.41 million worth of support to typhoon-hit families in the country through the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Office of Civil Defense (OCD), local government units (LGUs), and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). (JMP/PIA-NCR)
