MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan, Philippines — Reeling from what was touted as the worst flood in 50 years, thousands of schoolchildren in two Calumpit and Hagonoy in this province received last Tuesday complete sets of school supplies from Canadian Ambassador Christopher Thornley.

Some 720 students in San Jose Elementary School (SJES) in Calumpit and 500 in Eugenio G. Sy Tamco Elementary School (EGSTES) in Hagonoy were all smiles as they received the backpacks containing notebooks, pens and others from Thornley and members of international Christian organization World Vision.

Under a P1.8-million fund from the Canadian International Development Agency, other inundated barangays of Calumpit were also given supplies including Sta. Lucia, Frances, Bulusan and Panducot; in Hagonoy were barangays Sta. Elena, San Agustin and Sta. Cruz.

“I know there was a lot of water in your houses. I know how difficult it must be. I’m glad you’re all now back to normal,” said Thornley to the children.

Six to seven feet high flood submerged SJES for two weeks, incurring a P3 million worth of damage in books, chairs, tables and buildings, according to principal Leonilo Pascual.

Calumpit Councilor Nel Balingit said the town experienced the worst flood since 1950s brought by the back-to-back attack of typhoons Pedring and Quiel last September and October.