August 18, 2025
Tzu Chi brings aid to flooded communities in Brgy. San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan
By Dorothy Castro
On August 9, Tzu Chi Philippines answered Barangay San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan’s call for help after typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong and heavy monsoon rains that began on July 19 resulted in weeks-long flood. Bringing with them a message of compassion and hope, Tzu Chi volunteers extended assistance through the distribution of sacks of rice, grocery items, and medicine alongside flood gear to 1,226 affected families at the town’s evacuation center.
A low-lying area, Barangay San Miguel is one of the many communities in Bulacan that have consistently struggled with flooding due to non-stop rains and high tide from Manila Bay. This year alone, it recorded flooding at almost 5 feet, its highest by far.
Residents have no choice but to adapt to the flooding in order to continue their livelihood.
However, it was the recent series of typhoons and monsoon rains that worsened the floods, resulting in sudden evacuation and damage to their homes and sources of livelihood.
Upon hearing about the situation in Hagonoy, Tzu Chi volunteers did not hesitate to brave the flooded community in an ocular survey on July 31. Crossing flooded roads in improvised tricycles, volunteers coordinated with local leaders, who revealed that many residents had athlete’s foot, a fungal infection, due to constant exposure to contaminated floodwaters.
Extending help by all means was the immediate answer of every volunteer–and it was this same drive that led to a synergy of efforts between Tzu Chi, the local government of San Miguel, the Philippine Navy, and Angelo King Foundation, Inc. (AKFI).
Through its partnership with AKFI, who made a generous donation of P1 million to Tzu Chi for its relief efforts last August 2, volunteers were able to prepare 10-kilogram sacks of rice, grocery items such as cleaning and hygiene items, sleeping mats, condiments, biscuits, and anti-fungal medication. A number of beneficiaries were also given waders as flood gear.
Meanwhile, Tzu Chi’s long-standing relationship with the Philippine Navy’s Civil Military Operations Group since Typhoon Yolanda in 2013 sparked another collaborative effort in this recent relief. Lieutenant Mark Louwie Ramos, commanding officer of the Civil Affairs Unit, facilitated assistance upon hearing about Tzu Chi’s call for help. This answered logistical challenges in bringing relief to families still living with flood.
“That experience,” Lieutenant Ramos said, “left a strong impression on me. [Tzu Chi’s] efficiency, compassion, and commitment to helping those in need are perfectly aligned with our own mission.”
This sincerity reached the hearts of the beneficiaries of San Miguel, who held grateful smiles as they received the relief items with a “thank you.” Volunteers were moved by their strength through these challenging times.
“Through this relief operation, we hope to alleviate their challenges, so that they may return to their normal daily lives,” said Tzu Chi volunteer Luis Diamante.
To 41-year-old Rone Arpon, a father of three, this relief was a ray of light to the overwhelming challenges he had been experiencing. The excessive typhoons and floodings, to him, came at a worst time– just as he and his wife were expecting their third born, Ronie had lost his source of livelihood, his prized tricycle. The flooding from the salt water of the high tide had eroded and destroyed his sidecar completely.
Having no source of income since July 20, he had to give up their family’s rented home to temporarily seek shelter in his mother-in-law’s residence that was already been occupied by four families. During the relief, all residing families were able to receive aid, giving comfort to their current situation at home.
“I am grateful for Tzu Chi’s help,” he said with a smile. “At least now, we have the means to live day-by-day.”
With joined hands and institutions working together to provide aid, volunteers continue to fulfill Dharma Master Cheng Yen’s mission: to create a cycle of compassion, providing relief and empowering every community to uplift their lives and help others.
The onslaught of typhoons Crising, Dante, and Emong last July 19 alongside monsoon rains and high tides left communities within Bulacan perennially flooded.
Upon hearing of the dire situation in Hagonoy, Bulacan, Tzu Chi volunteers visited the areas for an ocular inspection where flooding continued.
Residents have grown used to the flooding, walking through waters despite the risk of illness.
At the Town Hall of Brgy. San Miguel, Tzu Chi volunteers and staff coordinated with Brgy. Captain Rolando Tolentino (second from left) who expressed his heartfelt thanks to the foundation for responding to their call for help.
On August 7, Tzu Chi volunteer Luis Diamante was one of the volunteers who led the stub distribution for beneficiaries in Brgy. San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan.
Tzu Chi volunteers rode an improvised tricycle called “tikling,” to conduct ocular visits.
A Tzu Chi scholar assists a beneficiary in claiming relief stubs.
Tzu Chi volunteer Scott Wu helps organize the stub distribution.
Tzu Chi volunteer Pansy Ho initiates conversation with a beneficiary with a prosthetic limb.
Tzu Chi scholars give their best efforts in processing and releasing relief stubs.
Early in the morning of August 9, members of the Philippine Navy helped Tzu Chi Philippines in loading and transporting relief goods to Brgy. San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan.
Early in the morning of August 9, members of the Philippine Navy helped Tzu Chi Philippines in loading and transporting relief goods to Brgy. San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan.
Lieutenant Mark Louwie Ramos, commanding officer of the Civil Affairs Unit, did not hesitate to help Tzu Chi help others. “It is always an honor to stand alongside you in service to our fellow Filipinos,” he says.
Members of the Philippine Navy gave their best efforts in conducting the relief operations in Brgy. San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan.
A Tzu Chi volunteer and staff member help organize medicines to be given to beneficiaries.
Tzu Chi volunteer Benson Lao takes the opportunity to empower beneficiaries to help others through Tzu Chi’s coin can donations.
Beneficiaries wholeheartedly pray, carrying hope in their hearts for recovery after this challenging time.
A Tzu Chi volunteer accepts donations from Hagonoy beneficiaries affected by flooding.
Through the generous donation of Angelo King Foundation, Inc., beneficiaries were given a complete set of groceries alongside 10-kilogram sacks of rice, anti-fungal medicine, and flood gear.
Tzu Chi’s Technical-Vocational scholars participate in the relief operations.
Hygiene and cleaning supplies, condiments, biscuits, and a sleeping mat were included in the beneficiaries’ relief packages.
“Whether our assistance is big or small, I know that this can change their lives. I hope that this relief can help in their day-to-day needs,” says Ensign Jerico Quidez, executive officer of the Civil Affairs Unit.
Biscuits were provided for beneficiaries during the relief.
Anti-fungal cream was distributed to beneficiaries with athlete’s foot from wading in floodwaters.
With the continued flooding in several areas in Hagonoy, Bulacan, a number of flood gear were given to beneficiaries.
Brgy. San Miguel resident Jerlyn Garcelis continues to worry about her home as flooding continues. Grateful for Tzu Chi’s help, she expresses that this assistance can help them in their recovery.
With a smile, a beneficiary receives relief goods.
Beneficiaries pose with happy smiles after receiving their relief goods.
Tzu Chi volunteers visit the home of Rone Arpon’s mother-in-law, where they currently seek shelter after losing their livelihood to the flooding.
Rone Arpon’s motorcycle is parked on the side of the road, unused due to the damages to his sidecar after the heavy rains and flooding.
Despite the challenges, Rone Arpon remains grateful for the blessings he received.
Rone Arpon, who had been seeking shelter in a home shared with four other families, smiles in gratitude as they all receive relief from Tzu Chi.
Tzu Chi volunteer Pansy Ho shares a smile with a beneficiary while distributing relief goods.
Members of the Philippine Navy help distribute the 10-kilogram sacks of rice to beneficiaries.
Tzu Chi volunteers pose for a photo with members of the Philippine Navy, grateful for their help.
Through the efforts of Tzu Chi, the Philippine Navy, Angelo King Foundation Inc., and the local government unit of Brgy. San Miguel, a successful relief initiative was wrapped up.