President Duterte Provides Assistance to Residents Affected by Taal Volcano Eruption

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the distribution of family food packs to the victims affected by the Taal Volcano eruption during his visit at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum on January 14, 2020. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

BATANGAS CITY—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte extended financial assistance Tuesday to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas.

During the event held at the Batangas Provincial Sports Complex, President Duterte handed over P7.5-million livelihood assistance to Batangas farmers whose crops were damaged by the volcano’s eruption and another P3.5-million assistance was released to the fisherfolk in the province.

He also turned over a check through a Batangas rural bank to aid farmers in their recovery from the disaster. All the assistance extended by the President came from the Department of Agriculture’s budget.

Aside from handing over cash assistance, the President also led the ceremonial distribution of family food packs to five families affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the Department of Health (DOH) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) were the lead agencies that provided the assistance.

After Taal Volcano’s eruption on Sunday, major government agencies such as the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and DSWD rushed to affected areas to provide support, the President said.

The Chief Executive assured that the government has the resources to help those in need until they get back on their feet.

“Itong mga kalamidad ay nangyayari po sa buong bayan at kailangan po na may gagawin tayo na tinatawag na maibaba mo man lang naman ang kahirapan at ang danger ‘pag pumutok itong mga ‘to,” he told affected Batangas residents in his speech.

“Nandito ako para tumulong sa mga tao na tinamaan nitong eruption. And gagawin ko lahat — itong Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, at ibang lugar pa na matulungan namin para bumalik sa normal.”

Communities affected by crisis like typhoon and earthquake must immediately get back to normalcy, according to President Duterte. “Huwag mo nang patagalin. Basta ‘pag dumating ‘yan at na-implement na natin ang lahat, go back to normal life immediately. ‘Yan ang dapat gawin ninyo.”

Prior to extending assistance to affected residents, the President attended a situation briefing on the disaster with different government agencies.

The President expressed satisfaction over the response of concerned agencies and local government units (LGUs) noting their timely intervention ensured public safety and prevented loss of lives.