From immediate water supply and food aid to emergency loan programs, critical interventions have been deployed to address the urgent needs of vulnerable communities.
Maynilad sends lifelines to West Zone communities
Maynilad Water Services Inc. has significantly ramped up its humanitarian operations in response to the persistent southwest monsoon rains, locally known as Habagat. Coordinating closely with local government units (LGUs), the utility company has mobilized water tankers, mobile hygiene units, and distributed thousands of bottled water to evacuation centers across its service areas.
As of this week, over 8,120 bottles of potable water—including 5,310 in 4-liter containers, 2,760 in 350ml bottles, and 50 in 6-liter containers—have been delivered to affected communities in Quezon City, Manila, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Caloocan, Bacoor, Imus, and Muntinlupa. Additionally, sacks of rice and other essential supplies were handed out to help tide families over.
To sustain clean water access amid infrastructure disruptions, water tankers continue to be dispatched to multiple evacuation centers, with an extra 4,000 bottles scheduled for delivery. Maynilad is also preparing to deploy mobile shower facilities to evacuation centers, providing displaced families with a measure of dignity and hygiene.
Beyond immediate relief, Maynilad’s technical teams have launched drainage de-clogging operations in flood-prone communities to minimize the risk of water-borne diseases and overflows, reinforcing its commitment to public health and safety.
“We are committed to helping our customers recover from this calamity,” said Marie Antonette H. De Ocampo, Maynilad’s head of corporate affairs and communication. “Our coordination with local and national agencies ensures that support is timely and targeted.”
BCDA brings aid to typhoon-hit Central Luzon families
Simultaneously, the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), in partnership with local government units, has rolled out a large-scale relief mission across typhoon-stricken parts of Central Luzon.
Over 4,000 families in Pampanga, Zambales, Tarlac, and Bataan received food packs, hot meals, and rice following three successive typhoons and intensified Habagat rains.
BCDA President and CEO Engr. Joshua M. Bingcang emphasized the agency’s role beyond development projects:
“When communities are affected, we make sure we are there to coordinate and respond. We are committed to supporting our local partners not only in development, but especially in times of crisis,” he said.
In Tarlac, BCDA donated 100 sacks of rice to the Capas municipal government and served hot meals to evacuees at the Sto. Domingo 1 Evacuation Center. In Bamban, the agency partnered with Mayor Joey Salting to distribute food aid, while in San Jose, relief efforts were conducted with the help of local disaster teams.
BCDA also reached 70 Aeta families in Sta. Juliana, an upland indigenous community, delivering rice and essentials to ensure that geographically isolated groups are not left behind in disaster response efforts.
GSIS expands emergency loan program
To offer financial relief to those recovering from calamities, the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) has expanded its Emergency Loan Program to cover more affected areas in Luzon and Metro Manila.
As of July 25, GSIS members and pensioners residing in Cainta, San Mateo, and Montalban in Rizal, as well as in the cities of Malabon, Marikina, Las Piñas, Navotas, and Valenzuela, may apply for emergency loans until Oct. 24, 2025.
Additional covered areas include Agoncillo (Batangas), Balagtas (Bulacan), Malasiqui (Pangasinan), Roxas (Palawan), the provinces of Bataan and Pampanga, and Dagupan City, where the deadline for application is Aug. 24, 2025.
“This expanded coverage is part of our continuing commitment to provide immediate relief to our members and pensioners affected by Tropical Storm Crising, Habagat, and related calamities,” said GSIS Officer-in-Charge Juliet Bautista.
Qualified active members may borrow up to P40,000, repayable over three years at a low 6 percent annual interest and no processing fee. Pensioners are also eligible, subject to retaining at least 25 percent of their monthly pension after loan deductions.—Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
