BATANGAS CITY - The provincial government of Batangas is urging residents in flood-prone and landslide-stricken towns to evacuate as it braces for Typhoon Leon. In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Amor Banuelos-Calayan said they are expecting the local chief executives (LCEs) of each town to facilitate evacuation in preparation for the weather disturbance. "[Residents in] landslide and high, flood-prone areas must be evacuated. The winds are now becoming stronger and we expect it to rain tomorrow until Friday," she said. Calayan said they would conduct pre-disaster risk assessment to discuss actions, programs, and protocol as Leon slightly intensified. This, as she said that last week's Severe Tropical Storm Kristine has left 60 people dead in Batangas, with four others injured and 14 still missing. Across the region, a total of 177,429 families were affected by the disaster in 1,702 barangays in 137 localities based on r eports from the local government units (LGUs). Meanwhile, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Calabarzon Regional Director Barry Chua said his office maintains close coordination with all stakeholders in providing assistance to the LGUs in terms of the management of evacuation centers and provision of relief to affected families. He said they acknowledge the initiatives and support provided by all LGUs as well as other national government agencies, including the Office of Civil Defense 4-A and Police Regional Office 4-A, which are continuously collaborating with their office to ensure the immediate needs of the affected families are provided. The DSWD has released a total of PHP55.23-million assistance to the LGUs across Calabarzon region. Calayan said in Batangas, the DSWD has extended a total of PHP17.89 million worth of assistance to Kristine-affected families. She added that as of Monday afternoon, there were still 5,072 families or 12,763 individuals remaining inside evacuation cente rs in different towns including Balayan, Lemery, Lian, Nasugbu, Bauan, San Luis, Tingloy, Agoncillo, Balete, Cuenca, Laurel, Mataas na Kahoy, Talisay, Padre Garcia and Tanauan City. Source: Philippines News Agency