Bulacan, a catch basin of floodwaters from neighboring provinces in Central Luzon, is ready to deliver relief supplies in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ambo while enforcing pandemic protocols among evacuees, an official said Saturday.

The first storm of 2020 downed trees and electric posts when it passed by Bulacan's San Miguel town on Friday, which knocked out power in some areas, said disaster officer Liz Mungcal.

Local authorities are monitoring Pampanga River, which could inundate Hagonoy and Calumpit towns if it swells from catching waters from neighboring provinces, she said.

At least 26 families have fled to evacuation centers that are separate from quarantine sites intended for potential patients with COVID-19, she said.

Health officers regularly check the temperature of evacuees and remind them to stay apart to prevent the spread of disease, said Mungcal.

"In fairness naman po ng food and non-food items, naka-ready po tayo. Separate po iyong in-allot natin kay Ambo kumpara sa mga COVID [beneficiaries]," she told DZMM.

(In fairness to our food and non-food items, we are ready. We allotted separate supplies for Ambo and COVID beneficiaries.)

DZMM, May 16, 2020