CITY OF SANTA ROSA, Laguna – The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC)-Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) has ordered DRRM councils in the region to step up preparations for the barangay elections and All Saints’ Day on October 30 and Nov. 1
RDRRM Chairman and Office of the Civil Defense 4-A Director Carlos Eduardo Ermita Alvarez III issued memoranda reminding all local DRRM councils to conduct close monitoring and preparation and elevating to blue alert status to ensure continued communication with various government agencies, provinces, cities and municipalities in the region.
In a pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA) meeting, the DRRMC noted threats such as Taal Volcano to the region.
Thus, he said, there is a need to ensure continued coordination, collaboration, and communication between the RDRRMC and DRRM councils to ensure that needs are properly and quickly met for unforseen events.
Taal Volcano on Thursday, October 12, recorded a total of 9,762 tons volcanic sulfur dioxide emission. This was the highest recorded emission from Taal so far this year.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said visual monitoring showed continued pronounced upwelling of volcanic fluids in the main crater that generated rather short and weak to moderate volume degassing plumes.
Strong winds drifted the plumes to the southwest, consistent with Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration trajectory forecasts.
“No volcanic smog or vog over Taal caldera was observed by visual monitors throughout the day. However, the PAGASA forecasts wind speeds over the Taal region to significantly decrease in the coming weekend, and should elevated SO2 degassing continue, the chances for volcanic SO2 to accumulate and generate vog would increase,” Phivolcs said.