Meralco brings relief to flood victims in Metro Manila
Tropical storm Karding (Yagi) did not hit Metro Manila head on but it brought torrential rains that inundated low lying areas such as those in Marikina City. Hundreds of families along the Marikina River banks were forced to evacuate after the water level at the river reached a critical point on Saturday evening (August 11). The typhoon and another incoming tropical depression strengthened the southwest monsoon bringing strong winds and half the amount of rain as the infamous Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) in 2009, according to August 11 data from the Manila Observatory, a local weather research institution. On Sunday, August 12, volunteers from Meralco’s Marikina Business Center and One Meralco Foundation were among the first to respond to the needs of flood victims, bringing comforters for 150 families staying at the Nangka Elementary School, which was used as a temporary evacuation center for residents in Brgy. Nangka. One Meralco Foundation also launched a relief operation on Monday (August 13) at the Concepcion Elementary School where 500 residents from Brgy. Tumana, also in Marikina, were temporarily taking shelter. One Meralco Foundation has also partnered with TV5’s Alagang Kapatid Foundation to make ready-to-eat food available in evacuation centers in Marikina and other cities affected by the flood. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the local government also distributed food packs to the displaced residents.