18/09/2026
Extending Hope: A Donation Drive for Flood-Affected Families in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga
On September 12, 2026, the PECCI MPC Board of Directors, led by Chairperson Alvin P. Santos, together with Directors Ferdinand O. Villanueva, Franklin O. Fabella, Edgardo C. Lara, and Cesar “CJ” E. Hernandez, officers, and staff, successfully conducted a relief distribution for families affected by the recent flooding in Sto. Tomas, Pampanga.
The initiative was spearheaded by Social Community and Development Oversight Director, Dir. Onesimo “Nemo” C. Martinez, and his team. A total of 500 packs of relief goods were distributed to affected families. Each relief pack contained 5 kilograms of rice, 3-in-1 coffee, canned goods, noodles, and 8 liters of distilled water, providing essential food and drinking water to families in need.
Pampanga was heavily affected by the continuous and intense rainfall brought by the Habagat, with Sto. Tomas being one of the municipalities affected by the flooding. Sto. Tomas is a small municipality in the province of Pampanga and is known as the casket-making capital of the Philippines and is primarily an agricultural and fishing community. As of today, several areas remain submerged in floodwaters, while many families continue to deal with damaged homes, properties, and sources of livelihood.
The relief distribution was held along Municipal Road, Brgy. San Vicente, Sto. Tomas, Pampanga, beside the Sto. Tomas Municipal Hall, with the valuable assistance of Mr. Christopher “Boyet” Dizon, Head of PLDT Pampanga-Bataan-Zambales Zone, together with some members of his staff.
Despite the remaining floodwater in the area, residents patiently lined up to receive the relief goods. Whether the weather was cloudy, sunny, or drizzling, they remained steadfast and patiently waited for their turn.
One could truly see how important this relief operation was to the residents. Some carefully wrapped their claiming stubs in plastic to make sure they would not get wet or lost. This simple gesture reflected just how much they valued the assistance and how determined they were to receive the much-needed support for their families.
There were also residents who did not have claiming stubs but patiently took their chances. Fortunately, they were not turned away. The PECCI team did their best to accommodate them and ensure that assistance reached those who were genuinely in need.
What makes this situation even more touching is seeing how far these families have to go just to bring home the relief goods they receive. Some have to rent transportation, while others use basins or boats to cross the floodwaters and make their way back to their homes.
The most rewarding moment came when the beneficiaries finally received their relief goods. The smiles on their faces and their heartfelt words of “Maraming salamat po” made the long wait and the challenges of the relief operation worthwhile.
This relief effort is more than simply distributing food and basic necessities. It is a testament to the enduring Filipino spirit of bayanihan, compassion, and community solidarity. In times of hardship, we are reminded that a helping hand and a caring heart can bring hope and comfort to families facing difficult circumstances.
For PECCI MPC, helping is not merely an obligation, it is a commitment and a way of serving the community. The Cooperative remains committed to extending support and assistance to communities affected by calamities, truly living by its mantra: “Kasi sa PECCI ang pagtulong masaya”.
When times are difficult, we stand together, we help one another, and we rise together.
