NDRRMC update shows 2.3K houses damaged by Taal eruption

FILE: Despite repeated warnings from the government of mandatory evacuation, some residents continue to live on the Taal Volcano Island as seen in the photo during the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and Joint Task Force-Taal aerial reconnaissance of the volcano on Tuesday (Jan. 21, 2020). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — Damaged houses in Batangas province due to the eruption of Taal Volcano last month has reached 2,308.

In its latest update Monday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that some 328 of the houses were totally damaged and the rest were partially damaged.

The houses, mostly located on Volcano Island and other villages near the danger zone, were damaged by the series of earthquakes in the area due to volcanic activity.

The number of families affected by the Taal Volcano eruption last month stands at 134,520 or around 504,709 individuals.

Meanwhile, damage to infrastructure and agriculture in the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna is placed at PHP3.4 billion.

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the proposal to grant housing units to families residing within the seven-kilometer radius danger zone of the restive Taal Volcano.