54 dead as Batangas placed under state of calamity

The provincial government of Batangas has declared a state of calamity in light of the destruction and deaths brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

In Jonathan Andal’s ''24 Oras Weekend'' report on Saturday, the Bugaan Bridge in Laurel town collapsed, forcing locals to cross the river to get to the other side.

Logs that came down from the mountains were also seen scattered on the road.

Based on the initial report of the Batangas police, 54 people died, 18 were injured, and 21 were missing.

The majority of the impacted towns are located close to Taal Lake.

Some roads in Talisay and Laurel are still difficult to pass through.

Residents of Laurel dealt with the mud and timber that damaged their houses.

Some pet animals also died and some vehicles overturned.

In Agoncillo town, a woman was looking for her cousin and eight-year-old niece, who went missing after they were swept away by the flood.

In Talisay, a wake was held for 18 people who died in a landslide.

Among them was a two-month-old baby of Raynaldo, whose four children died along with his wife.

Raynaldo’s family was found hugging each other in a bed.

He said he told his children not to leave their house while he was fishing in the Taal Lake.

He added that they were reminded to evacuate, but only in a group chat.

A congressman said the mayors did not implement a forced evacuation.

GMA Integrated News has reached out to the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office for comment.

Residents of Laurel need food, drinking water, clothes, sanitary kits, and medicines. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/VBL, GMA Integrated News