BATANGAS: The provincial government of Batangas is urging residents in flood-prone and landslide-stricken towns to evacuate as it braces for Typhoon Leon. In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Amor Banuelos-Calayan said they are expecting the local chief executives (LCEs) of each town to facilitate evacuation in preparation for the weather disturbance.
According to Philippines News Agency, residents in landslide and high, flood-prone areas must be evacuated as the winds are becoming stronger, with rain expected from the following day until Friday. Calayan indicated that a pre-disaster risk assessment would be conducted to discuss actions, programs, and protocols as Leon slightly intensified. This comes after last week’s Severe Tropical Storm Kristine left 60 people dead in Batangas, with four others injured and 14 still missing. Across the region, 177,429 families were affected by the disaster in 1,702 barangays across 137 loca
lities, based on reports from local government units (LGUs).
Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Calabarzon Regional Director Barry Chua stated that his office is maintaining close coordination with all stakeholders to provide assistance to the LGUs in managing evacuation centers and providing relief to affected families. He acknowledged the initiatives and support from all LGUs and other national government agencies, including the Office of Civil Defense 4-A and Police Regional Office 4-A, which are collaborating to ensure the immediate needs of affected families are met.
The DSWD has released PHP55.23 million in assistance to the LGUs across the Calabarzon region. In Batangas, the DSWD has extended PHP17.89 million worth of assistance to families affected by Kristine. As of Monday afternoon, 5,072 families or 12,763 individuals remain inside evacuation centers in various towns, including Balayan, Lemery, Lian, Nasugbu, Bauan, San Luis, Tingloy, Agoncillo, Balete, Cuenca, Laurel,
Mataas na Kahoy, Talisay, Padre Garcia, and Tanauan City.