Duterte urges Congress to expedite passage of P30-B additional fund for Taal

STO. TOMAS, BATANGAS, Philippines—President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday urged Congress to expedite the passage of a P30-billion supplemental budget to augment the government’s calamity fund for Taal volcano’s eruption.

“I will ask Congress to expedite (the passage of the supplemental budget). P30 billion will cover everything,” Duterte said before evacuees temporarily seeking refuge in this town.

The Department of Budget earlier said the government has enough calamity funds appropriated in the 2020 budget of agencies considered as “first responders” to disasters.

The President likewise assured the evacuees that aid from the government will reach them.

“Darating ‘yung tulong sa inyo. Hintay lang kayo. We will act fast. Sa tamang panahon darating ‘yung tulong ng gobyerno,” he said.

(Help will come. You just wait and we will act fast. At the right time, government help will arrive.)

Taal volcano, which straddles in the province of Batangas, suddenly came to life a week ago, spewing ash and steam up to 15 km into the sky, forcing the evacuation of Volcano Island and several towns on the rim of Taal Lake.

In the past 24 hours, the activity in the volcano’s main crater was characterized by “steady steam emission and infrequent weak explosions,” state volcanologists said. However, an Alert Level 4 remains in place over the volcano, which means that a violent eruption is imminent.

During his visit, the President also led the distribution of food packs to evacuees stating at the PUP-Sto. Tomas.

Earlier, Duterte’s aide and now Senator Christopher “Bong” Go said the following local government units would receive P5 million each from Duterte:

• Lipa City
• Agoncillo
• Tanauan
• Mabini
• Batangas City
• San Luis
• Sto. Tomas
• San Jose

The provincial government of Batangas, meanwhile, will get P10 million, Go said.