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| (Image Source: Batangas Provincial Public Information Office) |
Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas and representatives of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Response Cluster addressed members of the media through a media conference held last October 27, 2024 inside the Provincial Capitol in Batangas City to convey the current condition of the towns that were severely affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
At the said media conference, the governor shared the actions of the Provincial Government of Batangas such as providing food and non-food items especially hygiene kits for the affected families, clearing operations for major road networks that continue to be blocked due to flooding and landslides, medical assistance for the threat of emerging diseases and trauma management, and formulating measures for the distribution of building materials for the repair of damaged properties and providing financial assistance to those who lost loved ones who were victims of the landslide. He also informed the media that the focus and attention will eventually be on maintaining the good condition of the natural waterways in the province and the identification of natural and man-made hazards that can cause widespread destruction in the province.
In the statement of PDRMMO chief Dr. Amor Calayan according to the report received by the agency and talks with eyewitnesses at ground zero, the large volume of accumulated rainfall on the slopes of the mountains was found to be the cause of widespread softening of the ground which in turn fell into areas in several towns comprising the Third District of Batangas including Agoncillo, Talisay and Lemery. In the initial report, the damage to agriculture in the province will amount to Php118,576,333, affecting more than a thousand hectares of land and 1,553 farmers. There were also recorded 1,384 totally-damaged households, 3,036 partially-damaged, while 27,853 families or 97,176 individuals were displaced. The province of Batangas was among the hardest hit by the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine upon landfall in Northern Luzon and considering its huge 730-meter radius surrounding almost the entire Philippine archipelago.
As the province and its people reel and begin to stand up anew and recover from the devastation brought about by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, Governor Mandanas encouraged fellow citizens to learn from what they have experienced, continue to be strong and not lose hope. He reiterates that the provincial government of Batangas will always be there to help and respond to those in need because in this province, no Batangueño will be left behind.
(With words by Edwin Zabarte, Batangas Provincial Public Information Office)
