Aquino visits flooded areas of Cotabato

President Benigno S. Aquino III visited Cotabato Wednesday to inspect the relief and rehabilitation efforts for those affected by the flood.

The president had an aerial inspection of the extent of the damage in the city and went to the Notre Dame Village Central Elementary School that houses 3,271 evacuees from six barangays.

He directed the Department of Health and Department of Social Welfare and Development to focus on the health and welfare of the children. He also directed the department to increase the budget for the portalets.

About 87,771 families with 518,867 individuals were affected by the flooding in Maguindanao and nine other municipalities in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao according to Office of Civil Defense Undersecretary Benito Ramos. About 4,535 families or 22,675 individuals were affected in Lanao del Sur.

More than PhP11,068,000 worth of relief assistance have been distributed to the affected areas.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman, said that they had granted PhP12,124,075 worth of increased support to the affected areas. Region 12 has PhP10,493,260 and the ARMM had PhP1,630,815 including family food packs, tarpaulins, blankest and clothing, plastic mats, and others.

The DOH, in addition, stated that they had given provisions for drugs, medicines and supplies, the constant monitoring of health conditions of the affected population, as well as adding more disinfectants for containers for drinking water. — ARA