AS SOON as the wrath of Taal Volcano was felt by people from Batangas province, Pampanga officials led by Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda extended help to those in need. The governor led a 50-vehicle convoy of medical teams, social workers, search and rescue personnel and equipment to help victims of the eruption.
The helping team also brought food packs, medicines and water, all vital in such situation when people are forcibly evacuated from their homes inside danger zones to places that are safer from the eruption.
Pineda has done a great heroic deed. For him, it’s payback time to help others especially that we kapampangans personally experienced the situation what the people of Batangas are experiencing now. He never think twice and swiftly acted to lead the Pampanga in helping eruption victims. He showed the province’s readiness and capability to help.
As of this writing, Taal volcano has not had any major eruption yet. This means that what the people of Batangas had so far experienced, are merely preludes to a perhaps more dangerous, more explosive outburst. According to authorities, the mushrooming smoke and steam, the fall of ash and rocks, the earthquakes and the drying of rivers in some areas, among others are mere signs of a volcano going more restive.
Despite the absence of any major eruption yet, the devastation to people, to places, livestock and crops is already serious. The government is preparing for a more serious damage once the volcanic activities of Taal level up.
While some areas were already put on lock-down status, some people cannot simply leave their homes and other property. Although there are forced evacuations that are effected by local government units, there are those who cannot simply take the fact that nature is taking its course.
To date, the volcano is still spewing ash and steam and is being monitored by concerned government agencies. To date too are help from national and local government agencies, from private entities, associations and organizations. Its heart-warming to know that there are always Filipinos who can easily extend their help to those in need.
Kapampangans are not only helpful to the Taal eruption victims but are likewise emphatic since Pampanga was also once a victim of an eruption when Mt. Pinatubo unleashed its force in 1991. Many of those who experience Mt. Pinatubo can feel what those in Batangas are feeling now.
As a development, Pampanga is giving more aid to Batangas. Aside from the provincial government’s help, municipalities have their own drive in collating resources including donations from other sources that will be donated to Taal volcano eruption victims especially those who were displaced by the eruption.
In times of need, kapampangans have the initiative of helping others. In fact, they are among the first who respond to situations where calamities or disasters happen.
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