PGMA assistance continues to Eastern Samar flood victims

By ALICE NICART (PIA Eastern Samar)
March 3, 2008

BORONGAN CITY, Eastern Samar  –  President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s Medical Team, tagged “PGMA Caravan” is slated to render service to Eastern Samar flood victims.

This was learned from Govenor Ben Evardone’s report today.

The Caravan which has just finished its mission in nearby Biliran province, targets the top ten poorest provinces of the country, Evardone said.  However, upon the call of the President, they will side trip to Eastern Samar, apparently to give assistance to the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in attending to the medical needs of the flood victims. PHO for their part has been doing several health interventions, recent of which was their attendance to Diarrhea cases and purifying drinking waters.

Also today, the Provincial Government distributed some cash assistance of P5,000 to the 17 families who lost a member to the massive  flooding, plus P500 more for their transportation expenses in coming to the Capitol for the distribution event.  In the ceremony, Gov. Evardone did not forget to request for the Eucharistic celebration prior to the main event, in apparent thanksgiving for the good weather that is now enveloping the province and the endless pouring of assistance from different donors.

“I am really concerned about the present status of my constituents,” Evardone said.  “It is good that the weather has improved lately, but, in my rounds to our farmers, they are similarly anxious about the abrupt change of weather from the long heavy rains to very sunny days because it will not be good just the same for the rice plantations that are now starting to bear palay,” he added.

But still, Evardone continues to adopt new ways to mitigate the effect of the flood to the farmers; he is introducing a new innovation for his Agricultural development program.

“I am taking responsibility as subsidy for the 50% of the total amount of the pump boat machines and the hand tractors that are offered to the farmers,” he stressed.  “The hand tractors for instance which was used to be taken as loan for P80,000 with P16,000 down payment is now P40,000 with P4,000.00 down payment,” he explained.