Tolentino gives aid to over 7,000 storm-hit families in Bicol, Batangas

Fulfilling his pledge to help the recovery of communities displaced by typhoon Kristine, Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino leads the distribution of relief packs to over 7,000 families in various localities in Batangas and Bicol which were worst hit by the recent disaster.

MANILA, Philippines – Fulfilling his pledge to help the recovery of communities displaced by typhoon Kristine, Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino over the weekend led the distribution of relief packs to 7,241 families in the regions worst hit by the recent disaster.

The localities visited by Team TOL included Jovellar, Polangui, Libon in Albay, and Buhi and Nabua in Camarines Sur on November 2, as well as Naga City and Milaor, Camarines Sur on November 3. All are located in the Bicol region.

Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino handing over boxes of relief goods to 7,241 families in the regions worst hit by the recent disaster.

The senator’s team also brought relief goods to affected residents in the municipalities of Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, and Lemery in Batangas province, Region IV-A, on October 31.

READ: Sen. Tolentino condoles with kin of 20 Talisay, Batangas landslide victims

Talisay alone witnessed the loss of 20 lives due to a massive landslide that struck Barangay Sampaloc during Kristine’s onslaught. Tolentino visited the town on October 30 to pay respects to the victims, who were mostly children. He also provided assistance to the victims’ families and joined them in burying their kin.

Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino with the beneficiaries of the relief goods.

In his message to the evacuees, Tolentino pledged to push for the safe relocation of residents living in high-risk areas.

He likewise stressed the need for Pagasa to provide more detailed weather forecasts, in light of stronger typhoons due to climate change. This includes more precise information on heavy rainfall volume, which he said will empower communities to take necessary precautions and potentially avert tragedies.

Senate Majority Leader Francis “Tol” Tolentino and his Team TOL delivering boxes of relief goods to 7,241 families in the regions worst hit by the recent disaster.

Tolentino expressed confidence in the government’s overall disaster response, but stressed that a more detailed forecast would greatly enhance preparedness, and ultimately mitigate the impact of natural calamities on vulnerable communities.

The senator has extensive experience in disaster response and relief operations, having served as chair of the Metro Manila Development Authority, and mayor of Tagaytay City, which has survived several eruptions of Taal volcano.