NOVEMBER 14, 2020 (FILE PHOTO)
An aerial survey of Isabela shows the widespread flooding in the province due to incessant rains dumped by Typhoon Ulysses. (Photo courtesy of Gov. Rodolfo Albano III)
MARILAO, Bulacan–P2 million worth of housing materials were distributed to 200 families residing in almost all of the 21 towns and three cities in the province of Bulacan where houses were damaged during the wrath of typhoon Ulysses (international name: Vamco) in November last year.
Bulacan Provincial Social Welfare and Development (PSWD) Officer Rowena Joson-Tiongson said each of the families were given P10,000 worth roofing construction materials donated by Japanese global apparel retailer through SM Foundation Incorporated.
The 200 family beneficiaries came from 58 communities in Obando, Paombong, Marilao, San Miguel, Bulakan, Pulilan, Bustos, San Ildefonso, Angat, Norzagaray, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Baliwag, Sta. Maria, San Ildefonso, and cities of Malolos, Meycauayan and San Jose del Monte as recommended by the Bulacan PSWD office. The areas were among the hardest hit by the typhoon.
Families were given galvanized iron sheets, roofing and wood nails, sealants, sealant guns, marine plywood and lumber.
“With this, the housing materials and construction supplies donated by Uniqlo will not only support the repair, rebuilding, and new construction of home for families displaced by the recent calamities like Ulysses but will also help in the disaster preparedness as typhoon season peaks in the Philippines,” a press statement disclosed.
Other housing material donations were also conducted by SM City Baliwag in communities like Sta. Cruz, Laog, Sto. Cristo in Angat, Sabang, Bagong Nayon, San Jose and Poblacion in Baliwag; Pulong Sampalok, Kalawakan, Sapang Bulak and Camachile in Doña Remedios Trinidad; Poblacion, Matictic and Baraka in Norzagaray; San Juan and Maasim in San Ildelfonso; and Santa Rita Matanda, Tartaro, San Vicente, Sta. Ines, Sta. Lucia, Santa Rita Bata, Poblacion, Bagbaguin and Sta. Clara in San Miguel.
Chosen beneficiaries in Baliwag were identified as the most affected families, with houses that are still damaged at present.
“We recorded 2,500 partially damaged houses and more or less 900 totally damage last year” said Baliwag social welfare department head Josephine Lopez.
Through SM Pulilan, families from Poblacion, Cambaog and Catacte in Bustos; Sumapang Bata, Lugam, Masile, Dakila, Niugan, Santor, Tikay and Balite in Malolos; Dampol 2nd in Pulilan; and Bagbaguin and Sta. Clara in Sta. Maria were also given donations from Uniqlo, Latiza added.