By Chito Chavez and Aaron Recuenco The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified on Tuesday that only eight barangays and not the whole of Tagaytay City are covered by its mandatory evacuation order. DILG undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya
(DILG 10 via PIA / MANILA BULLETIN) Thus, DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya said business establishments may operate in areas not covered by the order. The eight Tagaytay City barangays covered by the mandatory evacuation order are Bagong Tubig, Kaybagal South (Pob)., Maharlika West, Sambong, San Jose, Silang Junction South, Maharlika East, and Tolentino East. But field reports show only Bagong Tubig and Sambong have been evacuated. According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) the eight barangays are susceptible to Base Surge and Volcanic Tsunami “which is why they were included in the Mandatory Evacuation Order issued by the Department as early as Monday.” "Let me clarify that it's not the entire Tagaytay City but only eight of its barangays were included by PHIVOLCS as within the Danger Zone, so business establishments may reopen in other areas of the city," Malaya said. "Secretary Año has decided that those located in the higher portion of the ridge which based on the PHIVOLCS hazard map have low risk may be allowed to reopen by the Local Government Unit. So, it's subject to the discretion of the Mayor and he will be totally responsible," he added. Malaya also advised the Tagaytay City government to review the “PHIVOLCS Hazard Maps so that they are properly guided in deciding which areas in these eight barangays are safe for businesses to reopen.” Mayors, village chiefs accountable Meanwhile, local chief executives from the mayor down to the barangay level will be held accountable if any of their constituents would be trapped in the danger zone in their respective areas of jurisdiction in the event of a hazardous eruption. Joselito Castro, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said there is an existing mandatory evacuation order within the 14-kilometer radius of the volcano and any casualty in case eruption occurs would fall under the responsibility of the local officials. “We will use the order from the DILG  as the legal basis in running after them,” Castro told Manila Bulletin in an interview in Batangas City. Residents who earlier evacuated from their homes in the danger zone have been returning within the brief “window hour” allowed by local officials to either feed farm animals left behind or get important belongings. There were also reports of residents still fishing in declared danger zones and some sneaking into the Volcano Island. With the volcano seemingly at rest amid the Alert Level 4 warning, Talisay Vice Mayor Charlie Natanauan questioned the credibility of Phivolcs’ warning saying they are not God to predict volcano eruption.  Natanauan is appealing to government to allow his constituents to return to their homes. But Castro explained that local officials have the responsibility and obligation to ensure the safety of their constituents in times of disasters. Local officials, he said, are also mandated to follow the order of the DILG. The danger posed by the Taal Volcano eruption is the reason behind the mandatory evacuation. As of Tuesday morning, there are 38,835 families (143,866 persons) staying in various evacuation centers. More than 12,000 families opted to stay with their relatives in non-affected areas of the province and other areas that include Metro Manila. Castro also voiced concern over the “window hour” being implemented by some local officials. The Phivolcs advisory is very clear, Taal Volcano is under Alert Level 4 which means imminent eruption is possible anytime, Castro stressed. “Taal Volcano will certainly not follow those window hours. What if the hazardous eruption occur during those window hours?” asked Castro. Castro said that there are already discussions to stop the window hours in order to discourage local residents from going back. Castro said if defiant residents are trapped inside the danger zone in case of a hazardous eruption, they will not be rescued. READ MORE: Mayors, etc. accountable if residents are trapped near volcano –Batangas official Toll fee waived Meanwhile, San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has waived toll fees at the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (STAR) for government and private vehicles involved in ongoing relief efforts for Taal Volcano eruption victims, the tollway operator announced on Tuesday. Last week, SMC’s tollways unit announced it was waiving toll fees for southbound government vehicles carrying volunteers, equipment, and relief goods. Private vehicles being used to deliver relief goods were also allowed to pass for free, with proper advance coordination with tollway management. To hasten the delivery of relief goods to these areas without the need for advance coordination, SMC Tollways yesterday advised motorists carrying relief goods to stop at the following inspection sites: SLEX Southbound (Petron Silangan/KM 44, Mayapa Entry, Batino Entry, Calamba/Real Entry); STAR Southbound location (Sto. Tomas Entry); and all STAR Northbound entry locations (Batangas, Ibaan, Lipa, Toribio, Malvar, and Tanauan). A toll supervisor, accompanied by a traffic enforcer, will inspect the vehicle and issue a Free Single Exit Pass. This pass should only be surrendered at the cash lanes where the vehicle will be exiting. “This is part of our efforts across the San Miguel Group to help our countrymen, through our own relief operations, and by supporting and enabling others who also want to help,” said SMC president Ramon S. Ang. READ MORE: SLEX, STAR offer free passage to relief vehicles Donations  The Pasig City Government is donating a total of P12.5 million to Taal victims.  In his Facebook page, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said that they will be donating P7.5 million in cash to 15 affected Local Government Units and another P5 million worth of food and non-food items to the victims. This is to address the immediate needs of the thousands who were hit hard by the eruption of Taal Volcano. (with reports from Emmie V. Abadilla and Dhel Nazario) READ MORE: Pasig City to donate P12.5M cash, P5M in kind to 15 LGUs affected by Taal’s eruption