Senate Majority Leader Francis Tolentino led the distribution of relief goods to nearly 2,000 families in four municipalities across Batangas on Thursday, Oct. 31 which were devastated by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine last week.
Tolentino and his team distributed relief packs to families staying in different evacuation centers in Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, and Lemery – the municipalities of the province that bore the worst impacts of last week's tropical cyclone.
In Talisay, Tolentino told the evacuees that their town and his home city of Tagaytay share the same borders as neighboring local government units.
“That is why during the last eruption of Taal volcano, I immediately came to their aid by initiating the construction of a housing project for 400 relocated families,” he told reporters in an interview.
The senator also visited Talisay on Tuesday to condole with the victims of the massive landslide that claimed 20 lives, most of whom were young children. He also extended financial assistance to the victims' families and joined them in the funeral ceremonies for their loved ones.
Meanwhile, the senator's sons, Tagaytay City Councilor Michael Francis ‘Micko’ Tolentino led the distribution of relief goods in Lemery, while Patrick Andrei Tolentino spearheaded the relief teams in Laurel and Agoncillo.
“As we remember our dearly departed this coming weekend, may we also pray for the safety of our kababayans who lost their homes and livelihood due to typhoon Kristine,” the senator said.
“Many of them also lost their loved ones, and are struggling to get back on their feet and rebuild their homes,” he added.