Presidential aspirant Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Saturday said the safety of the people, specifically residents of Batangas, is more important than his political campaign.
Domagoso, who has been on a two-day sortie of the Batangas province, cut short his speech here to give the people enough time to prepare for any exigency as the Taal Volcano continued to act up.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised the alert on the restive volcanoto Level 3.
“First of all, thank God the people are in good condition although Taal’s eruptions are getting stronger. Although they are giving me a very warm welcome, I decided to give them enough time to prepare for any emergency, along with their loved ones,” the mayor told reporters after his speech.
San Nicolas Mayor Lester de Sagun and Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto welcomed Domagoso upon his arrival in the province.
Domagoso also persuaded the other speakers, including his running mate Dr. Willie Ong, and the party’s senatorial bets, notably Carl Balita, Aksyon senate bets Carl Balita, Samira Gutoc, Jopet Sison, and guest candidate John Castriciones of PDP-Laban, as well as De Sagun to also cut short their speeches.
He added that while San Nicolas is about 10 kilometers away from Taal, “just the same I am always trying to be ahead of whatever worst case scenario. After all, there’s still enough time to gather votes. The more important thing is the safety of the people.”
He also said the city government of Manila “is willing to help in any way if the volcano eruptions would get worse.
Team Isko was scheduled to have another motorcade in San Nicolas, Bauan and Sto. Tomas towns to cap a two-day sortie aimed at winning the votes of an estimated 1.7 million voters in the province.
On Friday a grand rally in Lipa City ended a hectic day of campaigning for the team.