Amid the floods brought about by torrential rains that forced thousands to evacuate, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Monday mobilized volunteers to help in disaster relief operations.
Members of the Joy Belmonte Volunteers’ Movement distributed food, sacks of rice, blankets and beddings to families and individuals who evacuated from their homes in barangays Roxas, Bagumbayan, Damayan, Masambong, Manresa, Tatalon, Matandang Balara, and other areas.
“Here, our strength is volunteerism,” the vice mayor said.
Launched in 2008 when Belmonte was not yet a public official, the movement was convened to respond to the needs of the city.
At present, JBVM has 20,000 members.
Belmonte called on the volunteers to work with the city government as “force multipliers.”
In Quezon City, the massive flooding and heavy downpour caused by the southwest monsoon and surrounding storms forced the evacuation of at least 1,623 families or 6,455 individuals.
Two persons died due to drowning due to the floods.
According to Belmonte, Ordinance No. 2578 was passed to establish multi-purpose permanent evacuation centers in every city district.