TALISAY, BATANGAS (PIA) — Batangueños reeling from the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine are hopeful that they will be able to rebuild their lives with the support provided by the government.
In his visit at the ‘Ground Zero’ in Barangay Sampaloc on November 4, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reiterates that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continuously provides assistance amounting to P6-M for the six worst-hit municipalities in Batangas Province. Meanwhile, selected farmers and fisherfolk received P10,000 seed money to help restore their livelihood.
Speaking to the affected fisherfolk in Talisay, Marcos added: “Do not worry, the government has prepared the appropriate assistance which will be quickly delivered to you.”
Jomie Lee Timbas was among the mothers who grieves for their children who died during the flash flood that swept the town of Talisay.
“Sariwa pa rin ang nangyari dahil nakita ko po kung paano gumuho ‘yung lupa. Kasagsagan ng bagyo nang pinasok ng baha ‘yung bahay naming. Iniisip ko wala na kaming matutulugan. Ang ginagawa namin ng mga bata, naglilimas kami ng baha dahil ‘yung loob ng bahay naming pinapasok na ng tubig, sobrang lakas ng agos mula sa bukid.”
While taking refuge at her parents’ house, one of Jomie’s children came back to help her clean the canal to control the floodwater. After the floods have subside, the child returned to his grandparents’ house when the landslide started.
Jomie recalled: “Minuto lang nung nagpaalam siya. Ayun na, nagsimula na ‘yung pagguho ng lupa. Sa isang iglap nawala ‘yung anak ko.”
After the local government’s urged the residents to evacuate, Jomie and her family crossed Taal lake to reach the designated evacuation center, where they received necessities such as food, medicine, and psychological support.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa LGU at sa national government, kay Mayor [Nestor Natanauan], kay Pangulong Bongbong Marcos at sa lahat ng nasasakupan ng gobyerno sa kanilang pagmamalasakit, pagdamay, pagmamahal, at pagtulong sa bayan ng Talisay lalo’t higit sa aming mga nasalanta at namatayan ng kamag-anak at mga mahal sa buhay,” the mother told.
The house of 89-year old Lucina Hernandez was also ravaged during the onslaught of typhoon Kristine.
“Maraming salamat at kami ay nakatanggap ng tulong mula sa Pangulo. Gagamitin ko ito para sa mga kakailanganin naming sa bahay. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Pangulo dahil kami ay nakatanggap ng tulong.”
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) reported that 559 families from the municipalities of Talisay, Laurel, and Agoncillo, affected by typhoon Kristine, received home materials and essentials (HOME) as part of the government’s ongoing “conveyor belt of aid” initiative for the affected families.
Each HOME package includes GI roofs, marine plywood, lumbers, and nails for repairing damaged houses.
Talisay, Batangas was one of the worst-hit areas in the Calabarzon region. As of November 5, authorities have confirmed that 20 individuals are dead.
The Chief Executive assured the affected residents that the government is pooling its resources for the recovery of the province through the construction of the Taal Lake Circumferential Road and the Lobo-Malabrigo-San Juna-Laiya Project which will ensure shorter travel time, especially for necessary government support for fishing communities. (PB/PIA-4A)
