Duterte to visit Taal-affected areas anew

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte leads the distribution of family food packs to the victims affected by the Taal Volcano eruption during his visit at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum on January 14, 2020. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte will again visit areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption on Monday, Malacañang has confirmed.

“Yes, sa Monday. And all the major agencies and department heads are going to attend. Wala naman situation briefing pero bibisitahin niya yung lugar, affected areas,” Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Friday.

Panelo said the President will go around the affected areas to personally check whether additional measures are needed by the victims of the Taal’s heightened activity.

“This time, talagang iikot siya,” Panelo said. “Para alam na niya kung ano ang sitwasyon don. Para kung kailangan magdagdag ng whatever measures gagawin nya kaagad.”

The President on Tuesday visited 3,500 evacuees temporarily taking refuge at the Batangas City Sports Complex after a situation briefing with government officials regarding response to Taal’s eruption.

Duterte called on the evacuees against returning to their homes as Taal continued to spew plumes of ash and remained to be on alert level 4.