Batangas Provincial Sports Complex, Batangas City
January 14, 2020

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the ceremonial distribution of calamity assistance to 1,214 families taking refuge at the Batangas Provincial Sports Complex in Batangas City.

In his message, President Duterte expressed his satisfaction in the overall response of various government agencies amid the sudden eruption of Taal Volcano on January 12, 2020 (Sunday) that has engulfed several towns in Batangas province in volcanic ash.

“I am really very pleased, very happy that all agencies are here on hand and trying their best to help the community,” the President said.

“I am very satisfied with the response of everybody. The fact that no one was killed and there’s nobody really sick,” he added.

Based on the latest reports gathered by the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) as of 11:00 am on 14 January 2020, there are 8,724 families (37,116 individuals) from 27 towns severely affected by the ashfalls and are now taking refuge in 192 evacuation sites in Batangas and Cavite.

According to Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas, the number of affected families stationed in the evacuation sites may just be a small margin as most of the affected families have sought shelter from their relatives in nearby towns.

Senator Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rolando Joselito Bautista, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque III, and Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas joined President Duterte in the distribution of family food packs, hygiene kits and cash assistance.

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