Former VP Robredo braves floods, joins storm relief operations

Former Vice President Robredo helps distribute relief goods in Naga City. —From the Kaya Natin! Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — Former Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday joined relief operations amid waist-high floodwaters as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) whipped Naga City and many other parts of the country.

In a Facebook post shared by the non-government organization Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, Robredo was seen accompanying volunteers in handing out relief packs and water to residents.

On Tuesday, Robredo and the local government of Naga City appealed for trucks, rubber boats, and other resources to aid in rescuing flood victims affected by Kristine.

“Reiterating our urgent plea for pump boats. People have been stuck on [the] roofs of their houses for several hours now. Many of our rescue trucks have stalled due to the floods,” the former vice president’s post read.

The state weather bureau said in its  8:00 p.m. bulletin that Kristine was over the coastal waters of Bacnotan, La Union.

It was moving west slowly, carrying maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) with gusts of up to 145 kph.