Taal’s unrest triggers evacuation; concern for children at evacuation centers raised
MANILA – Government officials have begun evacuating affected residents around the 300-meter volcano nestled at the Taal caldera in Batangas Province.
The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Calabarzon has pooled its resources to attend to the requirements of Batangas local government units.
In a statement, it was learned the affected residents of 12 villages of San Nicolas, Laurel, Agoncillo, Taal and Balete towns and Tanauan City have been assisted.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said 345 families or 1,392 persons have been evacuated. Over 1,200 families are now distributed among 11 evacuation centers. There are over a hundred persons temporarily billeted at friends and relatives’ residences.
Meanwhile, Save the Children Philippines aired their concern for the safety of children and their families in Batangas.
In a statement signed by Atty. Albert Muyot, CEO of Save the Children Philippines, he said while some villages have been considered high-risk areas where over 20,000 from Laurel and Agoncillo have been considered for possible assistance.
“As the country continues to grapple with a second wave of COVID-19, Save the Children warned another eruption will also increase the risk of the virus spreading,” Atty. Muyot, a former Department of Education official, said. (Melo M. Acuna)
Taal Volcano Island as seen from Mary Ridge, Good Shepherd Convent, Tagaytay City. (Melo M. Acuna)
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