GMA Kapuso Foundation distributes food packs to 8k residents affected by Basyang in Iligan

GMA Kapuso Foundation distributed aid to thousands of residents of Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, who were affected by Tropical Storm Basyang. 

According to a "24 Oras" report on Monday, the foundation also returned to the Kapuso Village and Kapuso School it constructed in Barangay Mandulog, Iligan, in 2012 following Tropical Storm Sendong. 

“Tumaas ang tubig kasi ang creek umapaw,” Kapuso Village resident Alenn Ibero said. “Mga kasama namin dito, na-trauma kasi sa Sendong noon.”

Saada Untonga also immediately evacuated to the Kapuso School in the area to protect her mother. 

“Maraming salamat sa Kapuso dahil nagbigay sila ng building, ng school, na ‘yung mga tao mag-evacuate,” she said.

Meanwhile, Iligan City resident Jonrey Gadapan did not expect his home would be swept away by the floods, as there is a new flood control project in their barangay.

“Akala namin, safe na kami dito kasi may flood control na. Hindi akalain namin na bumigay ‘yung flood control nila, konti lang ‘yung mga bakal,” he said.

Per the report, Jonrey received financial assistance worth P3,000, which he used to build a temporary shelter made of plywood. 

Two weeks after Basyang, residents in the area are still struggling to start all over again.

For the second wave of its Operation Bayanihan project, the GMA Kapuso Foundation headed to Iligan City with the 2nd Mechanized Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army to distribute food packs to 8,000 individuals in Barangay Mandulog. 

“GMA Kapuso Foundation, kahit papano, hindi niyo kami nakalimutan mula nung Bagyong Sendong hanggang ngayong Bagyong Basyang," said resident Sittie Salma Dianal. 

For those who wish to support GMA Kapuso Foundation's projects, donations may be made via Metrobank, Land Bank, BDO, Bank of Commerce, UnionBank, PNB, Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Lazada, and Shopee. Visit the GMA Kapuso Foundation website for more information.

—Nika Roque/CDC, GMA Integrated News