MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Lito Lapid on Monday continued his relief operations for flood-affected communities in Pampanga amid the continued effects of the southwest monsoon or habagat.
Lapid was welcomed by more than 3,000 residents in the towns of Sto. Tomas, Sta. Ana, and Arayat, Pampanga during the relief mission.
Despite waist-deep floodwaters, the senator waded through the flooded areas to personally deliver assistance to affected families.
"I am happy and grateful for their warm welcome. It means a lot to see them personally and, above all, to embrace them and shake their hands," Lapid said in Filipino.
Lapid, a native of Porac and former governor of Pampanga, said the relief effort was aimed at helping ease the hunger of families affected by flooding brought by the southwest monsoon across Central Luzon.
It was the third day of Lapid’s relief mission in Pampanga, where he distributed food and other essential supplies to residents affected by flooding.
Last week, the senator also distributed food packs to approximately 8,000 families whose homes remained submerged in floodwaters in the Pampanga towns of Minalin, Macabebe, Masantol, Candaba, Sasmuan, and Guagua, as well as in Hagonoy and Calumpit in Bulacan.
Before the relief distribution in Arayat, residents of Barangay Suclayin surprised Lapid, popularly known as “Supremo,” with a birthday rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
Barangay Chairman Elvis Calma thanked Lapid, saying that the senator was the only national official who had so far personally visited their barangay and brought assistance to residents.
