Batangas residents brave thick mud, ashfall to reach evacuation centers

Thousands of Batangas residents fled their homes following the phreatic eruption of the Taal Volcano on Sunday.

The journey from the towns of Talisay and Tanauan, two areas heavily affected by ashfall and earthquakes, was an ordeal for evacuees as they made their way to the National Shrine of St. Padre Pio in Santo Tomas.

The local government had declared forced evacuation of the entire 45,000 population of Talisay, but the thick mud formed by combined rain and ashfall has made it difficult for rescuers to reach the upland barangays.

Santo Tomas now serves as a haven for more than 7,000 evacuees from different municipalities.

The local government is expecting the arrival of more evacuees in the following days.

—JCB, GMA News