By Jonathan Hicap  The Muntinlupa City government has sent a rescue team to help in the relief operations in Batangas following the eruption of Taal Volcano. Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi holding an emergency meeting with the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Jan. 13 to discuss safety measures for city residents following the eruption of Taal Volcano. (Photo courtesy of Muntinlupa PIO) Erwin Afonso, head of the Muntinlupa City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MCDRRMO), said a group of health workers and emergency services staff was sent to Talisay, Batangas Monday morning to assist in the ongoing rescue and relief operations. He said his office is coordinating with Region IV-A officials to provide services to affected local government units. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi called for an emergency meeting on Jan. 13 to discuss measures to protect city residents against the adverse effects of ashfall from the Taal eruption. He urged the public to stay indoors as much as possible and use face masks for protection. Fresnedi also advised residents to monitor news updates and announcements from the local government. More than 36,000 face masks were purchased by the city government for distribution to barangay health centers, which are on alert to accommodate health emergencies due to ashfall effects such as sore eyes, respiratory and skin reactions, and asthma triggers. Cleaning operations in major thoroughfares and secondary roads in Muntinlupa were conducted by barangay personnel. Street sweepers and other emergency responders were advised to use masks during the operations. Meanwhile, the Muntinlupa Environmental Sanitation Center released an advisory urging residents to refrain from using water to clean ash deposits and dumping volcanic ash residue into bodies of water and drainage systems. For emergency concerns, Muntinlupa City residents may call contact the MCDRRMO at 0927-257-9322, 0921-542-7123, 8925-4351 or 8862-2664.