Vice President Jejomar C. Binay today visited Marikina to look into the condition of residents affected by the torrential rains that pounded the city this week.

                  The Vice President went to Hermogenes Baustista Elementary School and Nangka Elementary School, both of which serve as evacuation centers for those who lost their homes due to flood.

                  Binay, concurrent chairman of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, also instructed the National Housing Authority to coordinate with the local government in addressing the problem of securing shelters for the evacuees.

                  “Mahalagang mabigyan natin ito ng agarang solusyon. Inutusan ko na ang NHA na makipag-ugnayan sa mga opisyal ng Marikina para sa resettlement ng mga apektadong residente, lalo na ‘yong mga nakatira sa danger zones,” the housing czar said.

                  Earlier, Binay deployed the VP Disaster Volunteer Group to help rescue families trapped by flood in Brgy. Tumana, Purok 5 in Malanday and Brgy. Polelak.

                  The team has rescued 79 persons and is still conducting rescue operations as of writing.

                  Marikina Vice Mayor Jose Cadiz and officials of Iglesia ni Cristo in Marikina welcomed the rescue team’s immediate presence.

                  “Magtulong-tulong po tayo para maisalba ang buhay ng mga kababayan nating apektado ng baha,” Binay said.

                  Meanwhile, the Office of the Vice President (OVP) sent 1,000 relief goods to evacuees in Montalban; 200 in Sto. Domingo Church; 200 in University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center; and 1,000 in Bagong Silangan.

                  The OVP staff is packing relief goods to be dispatched to other affected areas.