By Chito Chavez  The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) maintained on Monday the government has remained on top of the situation, citing “zero casualty’’ and “no looting’’ incidents in the aftermath of the Taal Volcano eruption. DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (Photo from Philippine Information Agency / File Photo / MANILA BULLETIN) As Taal Volcano is still on Alert Level 4, the DILG Eduardo M. Año said government forces hopes to achieve the same result up to the end of the relief and emergency process in the Taal Volcano eruption affected areas. Taal Volcano erupted last January 12 affecting more than 200,000 individuals. “The local government units along with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and other government agencies have proven their competence and showed resilience. They have acted decisively to meet the disaster head-on resulting in zero-casualty, zero-looting, and the fact that all residents are safe in evacuation centers.” Año said. Año noted the government's response has been immediate and significant in spite of the suddenness of the eruption primarily citing the prompt and efficient evacuation system of the local government units (LGUs) and the cooperation of those who were directly affected by the disaster. “We are pleased to inform you that 100 percent of all 142 local chief executives in Regions III, IVA, IVB, and NCR are present in their respective LGUs and have activated their disaster-preparedness protocols,” he said. He said the DILG has been doing round-the-clock monitoring of the affected LGUs to assess their conditions and report their actions or inactions, especially on the mandatory evacuation of all barangays in high-risk areas identified by PHIVOLCS. Año also expressed support to the decision of the affected LGUs to declare a lockdown on the concerned barangays. “We appeal to our people to heed the instructions of local disaster officials due to the continuous risk posed by Taal Volcano to all residents,” he said. PNP and BFP mobilized The DILG Secretary said a total of 2,820 search and rescue personnel from the PNP National Headquarters and different regional units have been deployed to Batangas and Cavite. Año said 10,240 PNP personnel are also ready to be mobilized in case the situation worsens. He noted a PNP special anti-looting task force has also been mobilized to the danger zones to ensure that the properties of the evacuees are safe and secure and to prevent looting. Meanwhile, 975 BFP personnel composed of firefighters, Special Rescue Units (SRUs) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) have been deployed to the CALABARZON areas with 191 fire trucks, three Hazmat trucks, 11 ambulances and other BFP resources. They have conducted 130 flushing operations and helped evacuate 25,867 families in 628 barangays. He said 676 relief distributions and other forms of public service like road clearing and water rationing werre already completed. Ready for the worst While the DILG as Vice-Chair for Disaster Preparedness of NDRRMC focuses on early and critical preparedness, Año said the Department was prepared to mobilize all its resources and units to assist in search and rescue, peace and order, management of the missing, and early recovery efforts. “We will work closely in support of the Response Clusters such as the Department of Health in the event of an explosive eruption of Taal Volcano,” he said. “With disaster response mechanisms already in place, wala pong dapat ipangamba ang ating mga kababayan. We fear the worst to happen, but our collective efforts to support and help one another will enable us to withstand the crisis. The Bayanihan Spirit, or brotherhood, will triumph in the end," he added. He also appealed to the people in evacuation centers anew to cooperate with local authorities, practice discipline and help ensure that their temporary shelters are clean and orderly. READ MORE: More than 600 volcanic quakes plotted in Taal since Sunday