Families affected by Taal eruption now over 12K

FILE: Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police conduct evacuation operations in Talisay, Batangas on Monday (Jan. 13, 2020). Residents are advised to take shelter on safer grounds after Taal Volcano erupted on Sunday that prompted authorities to declare Alert Level 4 which means “hazardous eruption is possible within days.” (PNA photo by Joey Razon)

MANILA — As Taal Volcano’s unrest continues, the number of families affected in the Southern Tagalog region has continued to climb.

In its 6 a.m. Wednesday update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that the calamity has so far affected 12,486 families.

This number is significantly higher than the 10,455 families in its earlier update.

The report signed and released by NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said the figure is equivalent to 53,019 individuals.

Of this number, 10,000 or 43,681 persons are taking temporary shelter at 217 evacuation centers.

The NDRRMC added that the affected families came from 24 towns and three cities in Batangas, four towns and one city in Cavite, and one town in Laguna.

Also, the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Health has so far provided PHP4,971,175 worth of assistance to the affected families.