Following the impact of Typhoons Pepito, Quinta, Rolly, and Ulysses, Manila Water Foundation continued to set out its disaster response initiatives and deployed around 14,500 gallons of drinking water to severely affected communities in Metro Manila and other areas of Luzon.
Typhoon Ulysses Response
On November 11 and 12, Typhoon Ulysses brought torrential rain and strong winds which caused severe flooding and damages to communities in Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon.
NDRRMC reported that more than 500,000 families have been displaced from the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses, amid the health risk brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Responding to calls of support, Manila Water Foundation joined the League of Corporate Foundations (LCF) on November 14 in its immediate deployment of in-kind donations to Marikina City and the municipality of Rodriguez in Rizal, two of the hardest-hit communities from the Typhoon. Manila Water Foundation provided a total of 1,000 gallons of water, while other donations include sleeping kits, rice, diapers, and food items which will be distributed to the evacuated families in Marikina City, and Rodriguez, Rizal. The donations were received by Officer-in-Charge Marikina City Administrator Janet Obispo and Dr. Angelito Llabres, Marikina City Sports Center administrator, and Mayor Tom Hernandez of Rodriguez, Rizal.
On the same day, Manila Water Foundation also joined Globe Telecom, likewise part of the Ayala Group, in providing water and food packs to the families temporarily housed at four evacuation centers in Marikina City. A total of 1,500 gallons of drinking water from MWF and 900 food packs from Globe Telecom were turned over to the 1,462 families sheltered at the evacuation centers, namely Nangka Elementary School, Hermogenes Bautista Elementary School, Concepcion Elementary School and Malanday Elementary School. Manila Water also installed static water tanks for each evacuation center.
Aside from Marikina City and Rizal, several calls for help were also received for the communities submerged in flood in Cagayan Valley. On November 16, Manila Water Foundation sent 1,000 gallons of drinking water and were delivered by the volunteers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
MWF continues to respond to the needs of the affected families, as another batch of 1,000 gallons of drinking water will be deployed to residents in San Mateo, Rizal on November 18.
Consecutive Relief Efforts from Typhoon Rolly
Right before Typhoon Ulysses, several areas particularly in South Luzon were already heavily swept by Typhoon Rolly on the first week of November.
With Ayala Foundation, 2,500 gallons of drinking water were brought to the towns of Lobo, San Juan, Balete, Mataas na Kahoy, Nasugbu, Calatagan, and Cuenca in Batangas on November 3.
Several parts of the Bicol region were also submerged in flood after the onslaught of Typhoon Rolly, which also damaged their water systems. This called for the need to augment the water supply in the said areas. GMA Kapuso Foundation and Manila Water
Foundation worked together to bring 2,500 gallons of drinking water to displaced families in Albay.
With the help of the Philippine Coast Guard, another batch of 2,500 gallons of drinking water was also transported to Virac, Catanduanes on November 11.
Meanwhile, 1,000 gallons of water were also deployed to Oas, Albay on November 14, in partnership with Laguna Water.
Call for Donations
As of writing, Manila Water Foundation‘s typhoon response efforts served around 28,000 individuals since Typhoon Pepito.
To reach more communities in need, Manila Water Foundation, duly recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, invites the public to donate any amount to bring essential items to families affected by flooding and displacement. With cash donations,
MWF will bring the needed potable water, WASH-in-Emergency Kits, ready-to-eat food, and other items to bring care and comfort for the affected families.
Visit Manila Water Foundation’s Facebook page at facebook.com/manilawaterfoundation and website manilawaterfoundation.org for more information.
