Duterte seals off Taal Volcano Island
Published Jan 15, 2020 12:00 am
By Argyll Geducos
President Duterte has restricted the entry of any person to the Taal Volcano Island following the advice of experts that a hazardous eruption may still occur.
(Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a statement, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelosaid Dutertemade the specific order during his visit to the evacuees at the Batangas City Sports Complex Tuesday.
“ has pronounced that no person should stay within the Taal Volcano Island until it is declared safe by pertinent agencies of the government. The directive was made in view of the activity currently taking place in the area, as well as of the possibility that a hazardous eruption may still occur,” Panelo said Wednesday evening.
He added that Duterte explicitly made the order that no individual should return to the island volcano of Taal because it was not fit for human settlement and it is in the permanent danger zone.
“The Palace is, therefore, asking the public, particularly those who have been living on the island, for their cooperation and understanding as it is the primordial duty of the government to protect not only their safety and welfare but their very lives,” Panelo said.
According to the Palace official, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been tasked to prevent those seeking to return to the island. He, however, assured those affected by the directive will receive the appropriate assistance from the government.
President Duterte has extended financial assistance to citizens directly affected by the ongoing eruption in Batangas Tuesday. He handed over P7.5 million to farmers and another P3.5 million to the fisherfolk for their means of livelihood.
“The Chief Executive likewise issued a check to help farmers recover from their displacement and distributed family food packs to distressed families,”Panelo said.
Satisfied
President Duterte has also expressed satisfaction over the response of concerned agencies of the national government, in coordination with the local government units (LGUs), saying their timely intervention ensured public safety and prevented the loss of human lives and serious casualties.
Meanwhile, Malacañang condemned those who have been taking advantage of the calamity but commended those who kept on lending a helping hand.
“While the Palace condemns those who have taken advantage of the situation for their personal or proprietary interests, it, however, wishes to relay its kudos to the responsible agencies of government for their quick response to the disaster, as well as to those belonging in the private sector for their continued acts of genuine selflessness and volunteerism,”Panelo said.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said they were going to press charges against 12 business establishments in Bambang, Manila, for jacking up the prices of N95 masks after the demand for it rose due to the ashfall experienced over the weekend.
(Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN)
In a statement, Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelosaid Dutertemade the specific order during his visit to the evacuees at the Batangas City Sports Complex Tuesday.
“ has pronounced that no person should stay within the Taal Volcano Island until it is declared safe by pertinent agencies of the government. The directive was made in view of the activity currently taking place in the area, as well as of the possibility that a hazardous eruption may still occur,” Panelo said Wednesday evening.
He added that Duterte explicitly made the order that no individual should return to the island volcano of Taal because it was not fit for human settlement and it is in the permanent danger zone.
“The Palace is, therefore, asking the public, particularly those who have been living on the island, for their cooperation and understanding as it is the primordial duty of the government to protect not only their safety and welfare but their very lives,” Panelo said.
According to the Palace official, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has been tasked to prevent those seeking to return to the island. He, however, assured those affected by the directive will receive the appropriate assistance from the government.
President Duterte has extended financial assistance to citizens directly affected by the ongoing eruption in Batangas Tuesday. He handed over P7.5 million to farmers and another P3.5 million to the fisherfolk for their means of livelihood.
“The Chief Executive likewise issued a check to help farmers recover from their displacement and distributed family food packs to distressed families,”Panelo said.
Satisfied
President Duterte has also expressed satisfaction over the response of concerned agencies of the national government, in coordination with the local government units (LGUs), saying their timely intervention ensured public safety and prevented the loss of human lives and serious casualties.
Meanwhile, Malacañang condemned those who have been taking advantage of the calamity but commended those who kept on lending a helping hand.
“While the Palace condemns those who have taken advantage of the situation for their personal or proprietary interests, it, however, wishes to relay its kudos to the responsible agencies of government for their quick response to the disaster, as well as to those belonging in the private sector for their continued acts of genuine selflessness and volunteerism,”Panelo said.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said they were going to press charges against 12 business establishments in Bambang, Manila, for jacking up the prices of N95 masks after the demand for it rose due to the ashfall experienced over the weekend.