By Martin Sadongdong
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday that it is coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to relocate hundreds of evacuees who are sheltered in an evacuation center located within the 14-kilometer danger zone in Batangas due to Taal volcano's continued unrest.
NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal (YOUTUBE)
The lone evacuation center in Balete, Batangas is indeed within the danger zone, NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal confirmed to the Manila Bulletin.
"Mayroon nga po sa Balete (There is indeed in Balete)," Timbal said in a message.
As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, the NDRRMC said 38,906 families or 148,514 individuals were sheltered in 497 evacuation centers in Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna provinces.
In Balete town alone, some 64 families or 263 individuals were staying at the lone evacuation center there.
"We are currently confirming with the DSWD their transfer," Timbal said.
Authorities earlier implemented a lockdown on areas within the 14-kilometer danger zone, saying it is dangerous for them to go back to the high-risk areas as Alert Level 4 was still raised over Taal volcano as of this writing.
Alert Level 4 means the threat of a hazardous eruption is possible within hours to days, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
Meanwhile, Timbal assured the public that all evacuees are getting enough relief aid from the national agencies and local government units.
At present, he said only the evacuation center in Balete was confirmed to be situated within the danger zone. Officials were double-checking if there are more temporary shelters that might be at-risk because of their proximity to Taal Volcano.