No casualty, damage to property caused by Batangas flash flood -vice gov

No casualty and major damage were reported after a heavy downpour triggered a flash flood in Barangay Buso-buso in Laurel, Batangas on Sunday, Vice Governor Mark Leviste said Wednesday.

Several houses, however, were flooded and covered in thick mud and volcanic ash from Taal Volcano’s eruption in January, Leviste told Dobol B sa News TV.

“’Yong mga video na nakuhanan at lumabas sa social media ay mga actual footages ng flash flood at ito’y dulot ng pag-ipon ng putik o lahar,  ‘yong mga abo mula sa pagputok ng Bulkang Taal,” he said, referring to the volcano's phreatic eruption on January 12.

Leviste said the local government is currently conducting cleaning operations in the barangay.

He added that the provincial engineering office already sent heavy equipment such as wheel loaders to help with the operation.

“Ito ay lesson po sa amin na kailangan magkaroon agad ng mga revised emergency plans, most especially sa mga lugar na sabi ko nga noong una ay naapektuhan ng Taal Volcano eruption, tapos ngayon naman ng quarantine period,” Leviste said.

Leviste is set to visit the residents affected by the flash flood on Thursday to personally give them relief packs.

Taal Volcano’s alert status has been on Level 1 (abnormal) since March. --Ma. Angelica Garcia/KBK, GMA News