Former Vice President Jejomar Binay on Wednesday said residents affected by Taal Volcano’s eruption two years ago are still in need of national government assistance to help them fully recover.
Binay, who is running for senator in the May 9 elections, made the statement on the second leg of his campaign sortie in the province of Batangas, where he visited the towns of Balete and Mataas na Kahoy.
Among the needs of affected families are jobs, livelihood, and decent housing, said Binay.
“Aside from helping them with their basic needs, we need to have a long-term program to help these residents and their communities recover and rebuild their lives,” he added.
Binay said he will propose a long-term rehabilitation plan for the towns affected by the eruption.
“We need a rehabilitation plan that is sustainable, taking into account the economic needs of the affected residents as well as their safety. But at the moment, they still need help from the government agencies concerned,” he said.
The former vice president, who is running for senator under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), kicked off his campaign in Batangas on Tuesday.
Binay is a guest candidate of presidential bets Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and Senator Manny Paquiao.
He is set to visit the province of Quezon and Laguna.