OVP extends aid to El Niño-affected families in Puerto Galera

MANILA — The Office of the Vice President extended aid to families in Oriental Mindoro affected by the effects of El Niño and other calamities. 

In a statement, Vice President Sara Duterte’s office said its Disaster Operations Center (DOC) facilitated the distribution of 2,614 relief bags and 2,614 food bags to qualified and verified beneficiary families identified by the Puerto Galera local government. 

The office noted that Puerto Galera had been experiencing a severe and prolonged water shortage attributed to the effects of El Niño, which adversely affected water availability, sanitation, and the livelihoods of its residents. 

This prompted the Sangguniang Bayan to declare the entire municipality under a state of calamity.

“The municipality had also experienced flooding, landslides, and heavy rainfall brought by the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat,” the OVP added. 

The Department of Education’s Puerto Galera District had also requested assistance for families affected by such incidents, Duterte’s office noted.

According to Duterte’s office, its DOC was tasked to “ensure the orderly, timely, and efficient distribution of assistance, with particular attention to cost-effective operations, prudent use of resources, and the safety of both personnel and beneficiary families.”

“Through the initiative, the OVP reaffirmed its commitment to providing immediate humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities and families affected by emergencies and natural calamities,” it added.