PAMPANGA - The Pampanga provincial government distributed 6,760 DSWD relief goods to families affected by severe flooding in San Simon on Tuesday, September 1, as the municipality continues to grapple with rising floodwaters and impassable roads. The relief goods were distributed across seven barangays, with the largest allocations going to Barangay San Pablo Propio (1,500 packs), Barangay Sta. Monica (1,400 packs), and Barangay Sto. Niño (980 packs). This comes as the Department of Social Welfare and Development has already distributed over 2.3 million family food packs nationwide—one of the largest relief operations in its history—with additional 63,000 packs delivered to Central Luzon over the weekend.
Relief Goods Distribution Across Seven Barangays
The relief distribution, which is part of the DSWD's continuing disaster response, allocated food packs to Barangay Dela Paz (700 packs), Barangay San Pablo Libutad (560 packs), Barangay San Pablo Propio (1,500 packs), Barangay San Isidro (1,000 packs), Barangay Sta. Monica (1,400 packs), Barangay San Agustin (620 packs), and Barangay Sto. Niño (980 packs). The distribution comes as San Simon remains one of the hardest-hit areas in Pampanga, with 314 barangays across the province still underwater and over one million residents affected by the flooding. DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian noted that the agency has been operating continuously for nearly four weeks, responding to a series of storms and monsoon rains that have devastated parts of Luzon.
Road Advisory and Alternative Routes
As of 6:00 PM on September 1, the following barangays in San Simon are impassable due to severe flooding: Barangay San Miguel and Barangay Concepcion. The flooding has also caused severe traffic congestion along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), particularly at the Tulaoc section and the San Simon Interchange, where water buildup has left motorists stranded for hours. NLEX Corporation has implemented traffic management measures, with Class 1 vehicles directed to use the innermost lane while trucks and buses are allowed to pass through the second lane. Northbound Class 1 vehicles are being diverted to the Balagtas Exit, and motorists are advised to take the Maharlika Road toward the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) as an alternative route. The PNP has also ordered increased police presence on flooded roads to assist stranded motorists and facilitate the movement of emergency vehicles. PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. urged motorists to avoid unnecessary travel through the affected area and to exercise caution if travel is unavoidable.
