The Philippine Army on Wednesday urged Filipinos to unite and embrace the tradition of “bayanihan” by helping those affected by the heavy rains and flooding of the last several days.

 

“We urge our fellow Filipinos to lend a helping hand [to] the victims of the recent calamity," said Army spokesperson Major Harold Cabunoc in a statement on Wednesday.

Cabunoc said that the new "campaign plan" of the Armed Forces, which includes coordinating with communities, government bodies and other organizations in times of crisis, embodies the spirit of bayanihan.

"Responding to calamities can be effectively carried out if the different government agencies, NGOs, local communities, and private individuals and entities will work collectively,” he said.

 

The public may donate clothing, food, bottled water, mattresses and pillows to the Philippine Army Wellness Center in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

The Center will distribute the goods to those in need in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

 

The statement also noted that for the past three days, the Army’s 50-man Search and Rescue Unit (SARU) has been conducting rescue operations in Quezon City, Marikina City and Las Piñas City.

 

“Our troops braved the 20 feet-deep floodwater to rescue the residents who were trapped without food items in the second floor and the roofs of their houses,” the statement quoted SARU commanding officer Rommel Marquez as saying.

 

Equipped with three M35 trucks and two rubber boats, the teams were able to save more than 300 families on Araneta Avenue in Quezon City.

 

“We prioritized the infants, children, elderly, those with ailments and the pregnant women. We were also able to evacuate 10 mentally challenged patients from a certain rehabilitation center in Quezon City,” Marquez added.

 

Although floodwaters in some areas receded Wednesday morning, other parts of Metro Manila experienced flooding anew as another bout of torrential rain hit the metropolis on Wednesday afternoon. 

 

For the next 12 hours, intermittent moderate to heavy rain may fall on Metro Manila, Pangasinan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Pampanga, Rizal, and Cavite, the state weather bureau said. - BM, GMA News