The number of families in Batangas affected by Taal Volcano’s activity has already climbed to more than 18,000, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Batangas reported on Wednesday.
Joselito M. Castro, PDRRMO head, said the 18,646 families or 82,068 individuals are currently sheltered in different evacuation centers in the provinces.
Castro also reported that two persons were killed while another one was injured from a vehicular accident on Tuesday along the national road in Barangay Banaybanay, Lipa City. He did not say whether the accident was related or had been caused by the eruption.
The PDRRMO’s data of evacuated residents was much higher than the figures officially reported by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday.
In its 6 a.m. report, the NDRRMC listed 12,486 families or 53,019 individuals that were affected in 24 cities and towns of Batangas, and in five towns and one city in Cavite and Laguna.
Of the number, 10,000 or 43,681 persons are taking temporary shelters in 217 evacuation centers.
At least P4,971,175.28 in assistance has been provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and Department of Health.
Philippine National Police Officer in Charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa said peace and order appeared to be holding in Batangas despite the panic created by the eruption.
“We were happy when the deputy regional director for administration reported to me that we have zero incidents of looting, and other related criminal activities, and of course, no less than the President was also happy when we had a conference where he found that there is no casualty,” said Gamboa.
The PNP chief said the eruption also affected at least 278 policemen and their families in the province.
Image credits: Bernard Testa