Gov Vi: Batangas ready, situation ‘manageable’

At least 1,200 families or 4,900 individuals living in the coastal areas in Batangas province, mostly from San Juan, have been evacuated, Governor Vilma Santos-Recto said Monday.

A weakened Tropical Storm Ruby, once a typhoon packing winds of more than 200 kph, made landfall in the coast of Batangas on Monday afternoon.
 

In an interview with GMA News TV's QRT, Santos-Recto said as of 5:20 pm they have been experiencing moderate rains and the power and water supplies remain stable.

"Of the 1,200 families or 4,900 individuals, 40 percent ang galing sa San Juan, Batangas. Patuloy kaming nagdadasal na sana mahina na ang bagyo pag landfall sa Batangas," she said.

“We are coordinating with Mayor Rudy Manalo of San Juan, Batangas. Ang report na nakuha namin ay still manageable ang situation, merong moderate rains pero stable ang power at water supply. Lumalaki ang tubig pero nailikas ang lahat ng nakatira sa coastal areas. Safe sila sa kanilang kinalalagyan,” she added.

She said they are focusing on Laiya where tropical storm Ruby (international name: Hagupit) made a landfall.

“We are now eyeing Laiya, Batangas, isa sa 11 munisipalidad na ilalagay sa kritikal area. Wala pong dapat alalahanin dahil may coordination with the provincial capitol para sa kung ano ang kakailanganin nilang gamit,” Santos-Recto said.

She believed the province is 100 percent ready for Ruby as they have made preparations as early as three days ago.

“Nakaready kami ng 100 percent when it comes to our disaster equipment at relief goods na readily available din naman. Ang power supply stable pa rin, gayundin ang water supply. Ang mga roads and bridges ay passable pa rin. Yung aming Provincial Disaser Risk Reduction and Management Council ay nakaready na, ito ay hinanda three days ago pa bago namin malaman na daraan ang Ruby,” she added.

Santos-Recto said the provincial capitol is coordinating with different municipalities and cities.

“Nagpalabas ako ng directive na manggagaling sa kanila ang desisyon ng preemptive at forced evacuations,” she said.

The Batangas governor also said classes on Tuesday in public and private schools and all levels in the province were cancelled. —NB, GMA News