Wed | 01.15.2020 | 02:00 PM

A resident of Barangay Tanyag, Calintaan, Occidental Mindoro received a relief pack from PAGCOR. The agency distributed more than 600 assorted relief packs to the town which was heavily affected by the wrath of typhoon Ursula. An additional 1,640 packs were also provided by the agency to the towns of Rizal and San Jose.

PAGCOR’s Community Development Officer Dan Ramos spearheaded the distribution of 2,250 relief packs to the affected residents of typhoon Ursula in the towns of San Jose, Calintaan and Rizal in Occidental Mindoro.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) poured much-needed assistance to thousands of locals in Northern Iloilo, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro who are still reeling from the aftermath of Typhoon Ursula, which struck on Christmas day.

Recently, PAGCOR’s relief operations team brought food and non-food items to the far-flung towns of Balasan, Batad, Estancia and Carles in Northern Iloilo. The state-run gaming firm also delivered relief packs to hundreds of needy families in Gigantes Island in Carles town, whose homes were ravaged by the storm.

A total of 2,000 food packs and 1,000 non-food items were distributed to the families of these affected municipalities.

Balasan town recorded four fatalities when a huge portion of an earthen water reservoir serving as irrigation source for 400 hectares of agricultural land, collapsed at the height of continuous heavy rains. It dumped tons of floodwater and mud to several communities in the town.

Rebecca Franco, a 30-year-old mother of three, lost her longtime partner Jomar dela Cruz, who drowned after being swept by raging waters while trying to save the pet goats of a neighbor in the early morning of December 25.

PAGCOR was able to reach out to the inner communities of affected towns, which can only be accessed through long stretches of unpaved and narrow roads.

Aside from Iloilo, the agency also distributed 2,250 relief packs to the towns of San Jose, Calintaan and Rizal in Occidental Mindoro. Likewise, 750 relief packs were given away in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro.

According to Occidental Mindoro Provincial Administrator for District II Jose Franco Mendiola, the Southern tip of Mindoro Island was the worst-hit by Typhoon Ursula.

“Strong winds toppled down power lines and destroyed most of the agriculture, which was the main source of livelihood in the province. Many farmlands were damaged and numerous residents are still rebuilding their houses. We are thankful that PAGCOR immediately responded when we appealed for help to provide relief assistance to Mindoreños,” Mendiola said.

The local government of Bulalacao was likewise grateful to the agency for reaching out to the affected residents who are mostly composed of indigenous Mangyan tribe living in the mountains.

“In the whole island of Oriental Mindoro, Bulalacao was the sole town that was heavily devastated by Typhoon Ursula. Maraming-maraming salamat sa tulong ng iba’t-ibang ahensya lalo na ng PAGCOR, at ng iba pang mga bayan dito sa Mindoro na nagsasama-sama din para tumulong na makabangon muli ang aming mga kababayan,” said Municipal Administrator Gideon Abuel.

Based on the report of the National Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) Typhoon Ursula affected more than 2.1 million people in over 2,000 barangays in Regions V, VI, VII CARAGA and MIMAROPA. Its damages to infrastructure and agriculture, which include schools, public structures and health facilities cost over P1 billion.

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