Taal evacuees laud Pampanga government

EVACUEES, who fled to Pampanga from Lemery, Batangas, became emotional as they remembered the help received from the Provincial Government of Pampanga during the Taal Volcano eruption.

Saturnina de Chavez, 67, is one of the evacuees who stayed with her daughter, Melicia de Chavez, in Apalit, Pampanga after the calamity was felt in Batangas.

“Kami ay takot na takot noong sumabog iyong bulkan. Talagang hindi namin maisip kung ano’ng gagawin namin, gawa nang panay ang pagyanig ng lupa. Umalis kami nang wala man lang dala na kahit isang piraso lang ng damit, tanging basang towel lang na tinakip namin sa aming mga ilong,” she said.

(We were very afraid when the volcano erupted. We really don’t know what to do because of the quakes. We left without bringing any clothes, except a wet towel which we used to cover our nose.)

Saturnina, in an interview, expressed her gratitude to Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda for his immediate action in helping the distressed Batangueños.

“Higit po na nagpapasalamat kami, dahil talaga namang napakalaki ng kanyang itinulong sa amin. Pagkalapit namin, binigyan kaagad kami ng pagkain, hindi gaya ng ibang nilapitan namin,” she said.

(We are very much thankful because they have been a great help to us. When we asked for help, they gave us food, unlike the others.)

Melicia, who sheltered four families in Apalit, Pampanga, was also in tears as she thanked the Provincial Government for the assistance it extended to her hometown Lemery, and other areas in Batangas ravaged by the said disaster.

“Taus-puso po akong nagpapasalamat kay Governor Delta para sa kagandahang loob na kanyang ipinakita, dahil kinabukasan pa lamang ng pagputok ng bulkan ay sumugod na kaagad ang kanilang grupo para tumulong sa mga nangangailangan sa lugar ng Batangas,” she expressed.

(Our heartfelt thanks to Governor Delta for the goodwill he showed to us, the day after the volcano had erupted, they immediately went to help those in need in Batangas.)

To date, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology lowered the alert level in Batangas province to two as the parameters showed “decreased unrest” since it erupted last January 12. (PR)

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