BATANGAS CITY -- Governor Dennis Pineda returned to Batangas on Wednesday, January 29 with another set of donations from the Kapampangans.
Pineda promised additional assistance before he left Batangas for Pampanga last January 18.
"Bagama't kami ay uuwi nang pansamantala, aming ipinapangako na babalik kami," the governor told the Batangas residents.
(Even if we need to leave temporarily, we promise to come back.)
With more than 200 volunteers, Team Pampanga gathered on Tuesday night, January 28, to send off 9,509 food packs, 17,843 packs of dry goods, 9,086 water containers, and 23,000 face masks to areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruptions.
"Gaya ng aking ipinangako, narito ulit kami upang maghatid pa ng karagdagang tulong sa ating mga kababayan na lubhang naapektuhan ng pagputok ng bulkan," Pineda said.
(As we have promised, we are here again to bring additional relief aid to our countrymen who were severely affected by the volcano eruption.)
Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas expressed gratitude to Pampanga for supporting his constituents.
"Kami ay taus-pusong nagpapasalamat dahil hindi lang nakikita, kundi amin ding nadarama ang kanilang pagtulong sa amin," Mandanas said.
(We are thankful because we see and we feel their help for us.)
He also advised the people residing in Batangas to remain vigilant as the Taal Volcano still continues to belch steam-laden plumes even after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) lowered its status from alert level 4 to 3.
"Mas mainam na manatili pa rin sa mga evacuation centers upang ating mapanatili ang kaligtasan ng bawat isa," Mandanas added.
(It is better if we stay vigilant in evacuation centers to ensure each other’s safety.)
Areas within the seven-kilometer radius are still under a total lockdown due to the threat.