Over 6,900 Catanduanes residents affected by flooding receive aid from GMA Kapuso Foundation

Over 6,900 residents in the towns of Viga and San Miguel, Catanduanes, who were affected by days of heavy rains and flooding received assistance from the GMA Kapuso Foundation.

According to “24 Oras,” Friday, Catanduanes had yet to fully recover from the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Uwan in November when continuous heavy rains brought by a shear line, followed by Typhoon Ada, triggered widespread flooding across the province.

More than 200 millimeters of rain fell when Typhoon Ada hit, causing rivers to swell and flood low-lying areas, worsened further by high tide.

In Barangay Almojuela in the town of Viga, residents were isolated for more than a week after a spillway overflowed, resulting in severe flooding.

The situation also halted the livelihood of abaca farmers in the area, including Violeto Tusi.

Abaca production becomes difficult during the rainy season, as the fiber cannot be properly dried. When soaked, abaca that usually sells for around P80 per kilo drops to only P50 to P60.

“‘Pag tag-ulan, nagiging marupok kasi hindi po natutuyo. Tiis-tiis muna kami. Kung talagang walang-wala na, napipilitan kaming lumusong sa bukid,” Violeto said.

Under its Operation Bayanihan, the GMA Kapuso Foundation went to Catanduanes to deliver aid to affected communities.

More than 6,900 individuals received food packs in the towns of Viga and San Miguel.

“Laking pasasalamat ko po talaga sa GMA Kapuso Foundation dahil po ang aming barangay po talaga napansin kahit na papaano kahit na nandito na po kami sa sulok,” Bangaray Almojuela barangay captain Domingo Nuelan said.

For those who are interested to help, GMA Kapuso Foundation is accepting donations through bank deposits, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, PayMaya, Zalora, MegaMart, Globe Rewards, Metrobank credit card, and Lazada.

For more information, visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website.

Meanwhile, GMA Kapuso Foundation received a $100,000 donation from ADM Cares for communities severely affected by Typhoon Tino last year.

The donation will support the foundation’s School Development Project in Cebu, which aims to build sturdy and comfortable classrooms for students.

"We donate a hundred thousand dollars courtesy of our mother company in Chicago because in Cebu, because it is very near our plant. Our plant is located in Minglanilla. It's actually very important to show that it's something that we can share with our fellowmen," said ADM Animal Nutrition managing director Lorenzo Mapua. 

“Ang GMA Kapuso Foundation, magtatayo ng tatlong eskwelahan pa sa earthquake-affected areas naman. Doon tayo pupunta sa Bogo City, sa Medellin, at saka sa Daanbantayan. Tutulungan natin ang Cebu na makabangon,” GMA Kapuso Foundation EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog said.

—Carby Rose Basina/CDC, GMA Integrated News