5,000 residents affected by Kristine in Batangas receive food packs from GMA Kapuso Foundation

Five thousand residents in Batangas who were affected by the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine received food packs from GMA Kapuso Foundation through its Operation Bayanihan project.

According to "24 Oras" on Thursday, among the beneficiaries of the relief operation was Lenie Almanzor, a resident of Agoncillo, whose house was destroyed and steeped in mud due to the flood that Kristine caused.

Catalino Lozano of Nasugbu, whose house collapsed amid Kristine, was also among the beneficiaries.

"'Yang gamit tsaka 'yang bahay, basta matatag lang, maipupundar 'yan. Ang masama kako, nawalan na ng bahay, nawalan pa ng buhay, 'yun ang baka hindi natin kayanin," Lozano said in the report.

A hospital in Nasugbu also wasn't spared by Kristine. As the heavy rains caused flooding in the hospital, its patients had to be immediately rescued and brought to safety.

"Contingency plan, kapag ganito pong mga panahon inuuna naming i-evacuate ang ospital. Mas malupit po itong si  Kristine, dahil nga po 'yung rainfall na binigay sa amin, magdamag simula [October] 24, 25, tuloy-tuloy po non-stop ang ulan," said Alex Pimental, chief of the Batangas Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.

The food packs were distributed by GMA Kapuso Foundation with the help of its service partners, the Philippine Army's 2nd Infantry Division and 59th Infantry Battalion, as well as the Joint Task Force - National Capital Region.

GMA Kapuso Foundation is accepting in-kind donations for communities affected by Kristine. These include rice, drinking water, noodles, canned goods, sugar, hygiene kits, sleeping mats, blankets, slippers, towels, and detergent.

In-kind donations may be sent to the GMA Kapuso Foundation office from Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the GMA Kapuso Center, GMA Network Drive, cor. Samar Street, Diliman, Quezon City.

These may also be sent to the GMA Kapuso Foundation Warehouse from Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 366 GMA Compound, Tandang Sora Ave., Brgy. Culiat, Tandang Sora, Quezon City.

Meanwhile, monetary donations may be made via  Metrobank, Land Bank, Banco de Oro, Philippine National Bank, UnionBank, and Bank of Commerce, as well as through Cebuana Lhuillier, GCash, Shopee, Lazada, Globe Rewards, and Metrobank credit card.

Visit GMA Kapuso Foundation's website for more information.

Meanwhile, the foundation, alongside the Department of Health - CALABARZON, will hold a Newborn Screening Caravan for infants aged 1 to 28 years old on November 8, 8 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Dr. Santiago D. Lacdao Memorial Health Center in Lipa, Batangas.

The caravan is open to newborns from Malvar, San Jose, Cuenca, Padre Garcia, Mataas Na Kahoy, Balete, Agoncillo, Laurel, Batangas City, and Lipa City in Batangas province.

Those interested in the Newborn Screening Caravan may contact Jocelyn Dimaunahan and Julia Silang (0965 281 4511 and 0917 113 5128) from November 1 to 7.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News