Residents near Taal told not to be complacent
Published Jan 27, 2020 12:00 am
By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) warned the affected local government units (LGUs) and residents of the Taal Volcano eruption to prepare for any eventuality despite its lowering from alert level from 4 to 3.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (Photo from Philippine Information Agency / MANILA BULLETIN)
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año prodded them including the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other public safety units not to drop their guard and continue to take necessary precautionary measures should the volcano erupt again.
He noted that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) stressed the crisis is not yet over despite the lowering of the alert level as the public will only be out of danger “when there is no longer any alert level”.
“Maging handa at listo pa rin tayo sa ano mang puwedeng mangyari para masiguro ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan (Let us still be ready and be smart in the event of any untoward incidents to ensure public safety),” Año said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) lowered yesterday the alert level because of less frequent volcanic activity, decelerated ground deformation of the Taal Caldera and Taal Volcano Island (TVI) edifices and weak steam/gas emissions at the Main Crater.
PHIVOLCS said that while Alert Level 3 means that there is a decreased tendency towards a hazardous explosive eruption, it should not be interpreted that unrest has ceased or that the threat of a hazardous eruption has disappeared.
In an advisory to the affected LGUs, Año said concerned LCEs with communities residing near Taal Lake, west of Taal Volcano Island and within the seven kilometer radius from the Main Crater, (7-km Danger Zone), are still on lockdown as per Bulletin No. 2 of the Batangas Provincial Government.
He noted that residents outside of the 7-km danger zone may return to their respective residences and places of work subject to clearance from their respective Local Government Units.
“Based on your sound discretion, you may advise residents, communities, and owners of business establishments, particularly those outside the 7-km Danger Zone, that they have the option to return, but must be prepared for a quick and organized evacuation at such time that the alert level will again be raised,” he noted.
He addressed his advisory to the mayors of Alitagtag, Balete, Cuenca, Lemery, Lipa City, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, San Nicolas, Sta. Teresa, Taal, Talisay, and Tanauan City.
On the other hand, the DILG Secretary said entry into Taal Volcano Island’s Permanent Danger Zone is strictly prohibited as advised by PHIVOLCS and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
“The PNP is directed to ensure that no one returns to the Volcano Island now and in the future as this has been declared a no-man’s land no less by the President himself,” Año said.
Año also urged concerned local execs to assess the areas outside of the 7-km Danger Zone for damages, road accessibility, and other secondary hazards.
The DILG Secretary also advised the Provincial Governors of Batangas and Cavite to take proactive measures in ensuring that all LCEs within their respective jurisdictions are taking the necessary precautionary measures relative to the Taal Volcano eruption.
All mayors and punong barangays in the two provinces must likewise take guidance from their provincial government to ensure that their actions are unified and consistent,” he said.
Based on reports from the NDRRMC, a total of 102,443 families were affected by the Taal eruption in the provinces of Batangas, Quezon, Laguna and Cavite and a total of P3.352-billion worth of damage to infrastructure and agriculture was incurred in Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite.
“All PNP and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) units deployed to Batangas are to remain in place until further orders from the NDRRMC and PHIVOLCS. They shall continue to assist LGUs implement the lockdown in the 7-km danger zone, provide security in evacuation centers, help in the road clearing and in the delivery of relief goods, among others. They are to remain under full alert,” the DILG chief said.
As of January 27, 2020, the PNP has deployed 2,538 search and rescue personnel from the national and regional PNP headquarters and placed 9,560 SAR personnel on standby.
It has also deployed 1,973 PNP personnel to evacuation areas and 178 personnel to areas vacated by affected residents, and rescued 132,514 civilians.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection has deployed 211 fire trucks, six SRU vehicles, 18 ambulances and 1,378 personnel in the affected areas to conduct water rationing (as water demands for sanitation in evacuation centers); flushing for clearing operations of evacuation centers and other establishments; road clearing operations; relief distribution and repacking of relief goods; safety inspection, fire and earthquake drill and briefing to evacuees at different evacuation centers; and emergency medical assistance in coordination with DOH.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año (Photo from Philippine Information Agency / MANILA BULLETIN)
DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año prodded them including the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other public safety units not to drop their guard and continue to take necessary precautionary measures should the volcano erupt again.
He noted that the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) stressed the crisis is not yet over despite the lowering of the alert level as the public will only be out of danger “when there is no longer any alert level”.
“Maging handa at listo pa rin tayo sa ano mang puwedeng mangyari para masiguro ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan (Let us still be ready and be smart in the event of any untoward incidents to ensure public safety),” Año said.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) lowered yesterday the alert level because of less frequent volcanic activity, decelerated ground deformation of the Taal Caldera and Taal Volcano Island (TVI) edifices and weak steam/gas emissions at the Main Crater.
PHIVOLCS said that while Alert Level 3 means that there is a decreased tendency towards a hazardous explosive eruption, it should not be interpreted that unrest has ceased or that the threat of a hazardous eruption has disappeared.
In an advisory to the affected LGUs, Año said concerned LCEs with communities residing near Taal Lake, west of Taal Volcano Island and within the seven kilometer radius from the Main Crater, (7-km Danger Zone), are still on lockdown as per Bulletin No. 2 of the Batangas Provincial Government.
He noted that residents outside of the 7-km danger zone may return to their respective residences and places of work subject to clearance from their respective Local Government Units.
“Based on your sound discretion, you may advise residents, communities, and owners of business establishments, particularly those outside the 7-km Danger Zone, that they have the option to return, but must be prepared for a quick and organized evacuation at such time that the alert level will again be raised,” he noted.
He addressed his advisory to the mayors of Alitagtag, Balete, Cuenca, Lemery, Lipa City, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, San Nicolas, Sta. Teresa, Taal, Talisay, and Tanauan City.
On the other hand, the DILG Secretary said entry into Taal Volcano Island’s Permanent Danger Zone is strictly prohibited as advised by PHIVOLCS and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
“The PNP is directed to ensure that no one returns to the Volcano Island now and in the future as this has been declared a no-man’s land no less by the President himself,” Año said.
Año also urged concerned local execs to assess the areas outside of the 7-km Danger Zone for damages, road accessibility, and other secondary hazards.
The DILG Secretary also advised the Provincial Governors of Batangas and Cavite to take proactive measures in ensuring that all LCEs within their respective jurisdictions are taking the necessary precautionary measures relative to the Taal Volcano eruption.
All mayors and punong barangays in the two provinces must likewise take guidance from their provincial government to ensure that their actions are unified and consistent,” he said.
Based on reports from the NDRRMC, a total of 102,443 families were affected by the Taal eruption in the provinces of Batangas, Quezon, Laguna and Cavite and a total of P3.352-billion worth of damage to infrastructure and agriculture was incurred in Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite.
“All PNP and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) units deployed to Batangas are to remain in place until further orders from the NDRRMC and PHIVOLCS. They shall continue to assist LGUs implement the lockdown in the 7-km danger zone, provide security in evacuation centers, help in the road clearing and in the delivery of relief goods, among others. They are to remain under full alert,” the DILG chief said.
As of January 27, 2020, the PNP has deployed 2,538 search and rescue personnel from the national and regional PNP headquarters and placed 9,560 SAR personnel on standby.
It has also deployed 1,973 PNP personnel to evacuation areas and 178 personnel to areas vacated by affected residents, and rescued 132,514 civilians.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Fire Protection has deployed 211 fire trucks, six SRU vehicles, 18 ambulances and 1,378 personnel in the affected areas to conduct water rationing (as water demands for sanitation in evacuation centers); flushing for clearing operations of evacuation centers and other establishments; road clearing operations; relief distribution and repacking of relief goods; safety inspection, fire and earthquake drill and briefing to evacuees at different evacuation centers; and emergency medical assistance in coordination with DOH.