Governor Daniel R. Fernando led the distribution of relief goods by a team from Bulacan to the residents displaced by the continuing eruption of Taal Volcano in the province of Batangas.

Fernando also personally handed over a PHP1-million check to Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas as additional assistance to the victims, at the provincial capitol here.

“This is our help or support to the victims of the eruptions in the province of Batangas, the province that also helped us when Bulacan was hit by strong Typhoon Ondoy,” he said.

The Bulacan team is composed of provincial capitol employees, 50 police personnel headed by provincial police director, Col. Emma M. Libunao, and volunteers from the private sector, all on board some 40 vehicles that traveled in convoy.

The group brought a total of 5,000 food packs, medicines, and rescue equipment.

Felicisima Mungcal, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), said two 6×6 trucks and two 10-wheeler trucks by the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) were used to deliver food packs and will also help in rescue and evacuation efforts.

“An ambulance with medical and rescue teams is also included to assist in ongoing rescue, relief and evacuation efforts in the affected towns of Batangas. It is complete with basic equipment such as personnel protected equipment,” Mungcal said.

Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Rowena Tiongson, meanwhile, said each food pack contains four kilos of rice, canned goods, five packs of coffee and two packs of noodles.

Mandanas thanked Fernando and the people of Bulacan for their assistance to the victims of Taal Volcano’s eruption. (PNA)