Batangas City – Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto called for urgent and science-based measures to prepare the province for the expected intensification of weather systems, as she presided over a comprehensive briefing with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) at the Batangas Capitol last July 11, 2025.
The meeting, attended by key provincial government officials and disaster response teams, focused on identifying the province’s most at-risk areas, with a particular emphasis on new vulnerability hotspots such as District 1. Gov. Santos-Recto stressed the importance of preemptive action to avoid another tragedy like Typhoon Kristine.
“We cannot afford to wait until disaster strikes. We must act now, grounded on science and local realities, to protect lives and livelihoods,” Gov. Santos-Recto said.
Key directives from the briefing included:
• Mapping and Monitoring: Immediate identification of new and existing areas prone to flooding and landslides. Special focus will be given to isolated communities that may be cut off during extreme weather.
• Asset Inventory and Pre-Positioning: Updating and pre-positioning critical assets and supplies in the most vulnerable areas to ensure rapid response.
• Proactive Measures: Assessing if river dredging or possible community relocation is needed in high-risk zones.
• Rainfall and Saturation Monitoring: Coordinating with PAGASA and OCD for real-time data on low-pressure areas (LPA) and rainfall saturation levels.
The governor also emphasized the need for localized disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies and regular coordination with municipal leaders to strengthen community-based preparedness.
“This is about building resilience. Let’s listen to the science, act fast, and keep Batangueños safe,” she added.
With the rainy season already bringing increased rainfall, the provincial government will roll out a schedule of field assessments in the coming weeks to ensure readiness across all districts.
