Taal Volcano’s continuing volcanic activity has already displaced around 5,000 individuals in Batangas, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Tuesday, March 29.
NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said a total of 1,142 families or 3,771 individuals were being served inside 17 evacuation centers while 265 families or 1,203 individuals left their homes but opted to stay with their relatives’ or friends’ houses.
“We expect that this number will go up since our evacuation activities are on-going especially in high-risk areas near the volcano,” Timbal said in Filipino during the Laging Handa press briefing.
Among the affected municipalities include Agoncillo, Balete, Cuenca, Laurel, Lemery, Talisay, San Luis, and Cuenca.
“I think our displaced kababayans are doing okay so far because we are continuously distributing family food packs to the local government units (LGUs). The provincial government is also augmenting the food supply while our regional disaster council and national disaster council are quick to react when the LGU counterparts need more food,” Timbal shared.
At present, the local DRRM councils were still working with the LGUs to convince the remaining residents in the five high-risk barangays that are located seven kilometers from the Taal Volcano to evacuate already.
These areas are Barangay Bilibinwang, Banyaga, eastern sector of Bugaan East, Boso-Boso, and Gulod in Agoncillo and Laurel municipalities.
“We want to make sure that these barangays will be empty and all the residents will be evacuated. Our evacuation activities are in fact well-coordinated and fast. There are still some residents who are hesitant to leave their houses but we assure them that the government will assist them,” Timbal said.
In case Taal’s unrest gets prolonged, Timbal said that the NDRRMC will be prepared to provide food packs and other basic needs of all evacuees.
“What we prepared is good for two weeks and beyond but other government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is there to support us. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) are offering their assets and manpower for the evacuation efforts. There is also the Department of Health (DOH) which ensures the health situation is monitored in the evacuation centers,” Timbal stated.