Party-list group shines aiding Bicol flood victims

LEGAZPI CITY (Aug. 10, 2011) — Mayors and Barangay captains in the provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur have lauded the humanitarian efforts of the Party list, AKO-Bicol (AKB), in aid of the flood victims in Bicol.

Since last week, AKO-Bicol Party-list representatives Rodel Batocabe, Chrisptoher Co and Alfredo Garbin Jr. have distributed relief goods to evacuees in the still flooded areas in the provinces of Albay and Camarines Sur.

AKO-Bicol's “Calamidad Action Team” is now actively giving assistance to areas worst hit by typhoon “ Juaning,” including the towns of Malinao, Guinobatan, Oas, Tabaco City in Albay and the towns of Nabua, Buhi, Iriga City and the perrenially flooded villages of Bato in Camarines Sur.

The group's help also goes beyond the distribution of relief goods.

Bato Mayor Jeanette Bernaldez particularly cited the valuable help by AKO-Bicol in sending heavy equipment that the Department of Public Works and Highways cannot provide to hasten the clearing of massive flood debris that blocked the town's portion of the national highway.

AKB also did similar clearing operatons in the towns of Nabua and Buhi and the city of Iriga in Camarines Sur and affected towns in Albay, including the worst-hit locality of Malinao.

Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman Luistro and barangay captains Melvin Cestina of Malinao town, Nilo Llenaresas of Malabnig, Guinobatan and Jay Bustamante of Maynao, Oas, Albay also expressed gratitude to AKB for clearing the debris of woods and rocks that swept their localitites from the slope of Mt. Mayon during the on-rush of flood waters caused by days of heavy rains.

Going into the third week after Typhoon Juaning, low-lying towns in Camarines Sur remain flooded and some villages near the base of Mt. Mayon are still isolated by landslides. (With report from Sonny Sales)