Some barangays in Batangas locked down due to Taal’s volcanic activity

Barangays in Laurel and Agoncillo, Batangas, which are in the danger zone due to the eruption of Taal Volcano, have been locked down.

Areas being locked down include the barangays of Banyaga and Bilibinwang in Agoncillo, and Buso-Buso, Gulod, and Bugaan East in Laurel.

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“Ito naman po ay maliwanag na dapat walang tao doon sa 7-kilometer danger zone, so ‘yon po ang ating ipinatutupad,” said Police Col. Glicerio Cansilao, director of the Batangas police.

As many as 6,000 families or 15,000 individuals have fled to evacuation centers in Laurel and Agoncillo.

In Barangay Banyaga, the forced evacuation of residents began last Saturday night. Even though the locals did not want to leave, they were forced when the police truck picked them up.

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“Napakahirap gawa nang maiiwanan na naman ang aming mga bahay,” said resident Evelyn Marasigan.

Many of the residents voluntarily left and lived with relatives, while others were taken to schools. But the number of evacuees in each classroom is limited to avoid COVID-19.

Some barangays in Batangas locked down due to Taal’s volcanic activity

Local governments have issued travel passes for animal feeders to enter such barangays. But only men will be allowed, and they will also have to leave in the afternoon.

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It is said that fisheries cannot be abandoned, and pets cannot be included in the evacuation.

“Ang aming alagang hayop ay magugutom eh. Sayang po, ‘yan lang po ang aming pinagkakakitaan,” said resident Felopec Alilio.

Due to the volume evacuated, food and medicine are the necessities.

Agoncillo Mayor Daniel Reyes admitted that their calamity fund would not be enough in the next few days.

According to Reyes, the Department of Social Welfare and Development will send food packs to meet the needs of the evacuees.

In Laurel, the number of evacuation centers rose to 10 from 6.

Batangas 3rd District Rep. Ma. Theresa Collantes asked for assistance from the national government to provide aid to the province’s people.

Meanwhile, the Archdiocese of Lipa distributed more than 1,600 N95 face masks and 1,400 bottles of mineral water to the towns of Agoncillo and Laurel.

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