Over 40,000 Talisay residents figure in forced evacuation

Over 40,000 residents of Talisay, Batangas were forced by authorities to evacuate due to the heavy ashfall in the area brought by the phreatic eruption of the Taal Volcano on Sunday.

The combination of ash and rainfall hampered the evacuation efforts of local governments and different government agencies.

Some residents had to await rescue barefoot, carrying whatever muddy belongings they could salvage from their homes.

Residents from higher areas were forced to walk at least an hour to reach the center of Talisay for rescue.

Among them was Rosalina Linga, who became emotional over her ordeal.

“Ngayon lang ho ako nakaranas ng ganito e. Ang tanda ko na dito, ngayon lang ako nakaranas ng ganito na ang Talisay, ganito ang nangyari. Masakit po. Mahirap tanggapin,” she said in a 24 Oras report by Darlene Cay.

The families will be brought to evacuation centers in neighboring towns and cities. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News