President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visited families displaced by massive flooding in San Mateo, Rizal, on Thursday. During his visit to the Maly Elementary School, which is serving as an evacuation site, Marcos checked on the conditions of the residents temporarily seeking shelter there.
A total of 3,899 families, or 14,390 individuals, in San Mateo have been affected by the impacts of Severe Tropical Storm Crising (international name Wipha) and the enhanced southwest monsoon, also known as “habagat.” Currently, about 546 families, or 2,102 individuals, are sheltering at the Maly Elementary School, as some areas in San Mateo remain submerged due to continuous rains.
Marcos led the distribution of family food packs from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) during his visit. San Mateo has been placed under a state of calamity as torrential rains persist.
In addition to visiting the Maly Elementary School, Marcos plans to visit another evacuation center in the town. He will later preside over a situation briefing at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council’s office in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, to assess the combined effects of Crising and the southwest monsoon.
The President has ordered a unified response from all concerned agencies to ensure the safety of affected communities. He has also directed the immediate deployment of relief goods and medical teams, as well as the delivery of critical services such as transportation, water, and electricity supply, particularly in flooded areas.