By Pearl Gumapos
Taal Volcano ejected a plume of smoke at 5:00 a.m. Monday, and more than 1,500 families or about 5,583 persons have evacuated from the high-risk areas of Laurel and Agoncillo, Batangas, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Spokesperson Mark Timbal said.
Citing data from the Batangas Provincial DRRMC, Timbal said around 1,076 families or 3,617 individuals are being sheltered in 22 evacuation centers, while another 537 families are staying with their relatives or friends as of Sunday (July 4) evening.
“[The] majority of our evacuees come from [the towns of] Laurel and Agoncillo. The count also includes evacuees from municipalities that had voluntary evacuations,” Timbal said.
According to the NDRRMC, the following towns in Batangas have conducted evacuation due to volcanic activity: Agoncillo, Laurel, Taal, Lemery, Balete, Cuenca, Mataas na Kahoy, San Nicolas, Talisay, and Tanauan City.
Meanwhile, the NDRRMC has assured the continued distribution of aid to families in evacuation centers.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Friday night sent 5,000 food packs to the Batangas Sports Complex Grandstand, as well as 2,000 food packs and 300 family tents to Laurel and 1,500 food packs to Agoncillo.
As for the tents, Timbal said one family is equivalent to one tent.
“Ang idea po kasi nito is one family, one tent o one room, one family arrangement sa evacuation center, para ma-maintain natin ‘yung observance ng social distancing,” Timbal said.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) also donated 42,185 medical-grade cloth masks to Laurel for the affected residents in the Taal Volcano area.
“Merong mga kababayan natin na nag-e-express na gustong tumulong dito sa situation para sa mga kababayan natin nagsi-evacuate. So, ang ginagawa ng Batangas provincial government ay gumawa sila ng donation hub,” Timbal said. – jlo
