The local government units (LGU) of Batangas and Cavite held a mass evacuation simulation exercise on Monday (March 15) as part of preparations in case Taal Volcano erupts.
The exercise familiarized stakeholders with the disaster response "playbook," including pickup points where Batangas residents will be fetched for evacuation in Cavite. The simulation also included a protocol on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing system for evacuees.
Governor Jonvic Remulla said that the mass evacuation simulation exercise will be held every year.
"We can never prevent an eruption but we can always be prepared for one," Remulla wrote on his Facebook page.
"Ang Batangas at Cavite ay malapit na magkapitbahay. Sa ating kultura ang magkabitbahay ay dapat laging nagdadamayan, (Batangas and Cavite are neighbors. In our culture, neighbors always provide sympathetic support to each other)," he added.