BATANGAS CITY — In lieu of the expected lavish birthday bash on November 3, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto will instead donate her party budget to the victims of the recent typhoons in the province.

It was learned that a Mass will be held at the Provincial Capitol for a very simple but meaningful celebration where attendees are encouraged to give something to share such as relief goods, medicines or even cash assistance to the victims where some of them are still in deplorable conditions.

“This is the time to set aside our personal pleasure in order to do something that is noble and will bring comfort and joy to our dear kababayans who suffered so much from the fury of typhoons ‘Ondoy’ and ‘Pepeng,’” Santos-Recto said.

Public Information Office chief Jing Segismundo said the Office of the Governor is doing the very best to provide the victims with much needed long-term assistance.

Ate Vi, as the governor is fondly called by friends, will provide coastal towns, particularly those within the Taal Lake area with rubber boats that can be used directly by the local government units (LGUs) and the provincial disaster coordinating council for rescue and relief operations in times of emergency.

The provincial government is prioritizing its emergency preparedness program to ensure that rescue operations can be delivered instantly once calamity such as strong typhoons and earthquakes strikes.

“The governor and her council as well as the local officials are constantly coordinating with each other to put disaster preparedness on top of the agenda of the provincial government," Segismundo said.