Skip Tagaytay City, tourists told
Published Jan 20, 2020 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling
The government has strongly advised tourists against visiting Tagaytay for their safety given the existing threat of imminent explosive eruption of Taal Volcano.
DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III (FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Commercial establishments located within the 14-kilometer danger zone around the volcano have also been urged to suspend operations until Taal's Alert Level 4 has been downgraded, according to Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III.
Tagaytay City, a popular tourist destination known for its cool mountain breeze and breathtaking view of Lake Taal, is among the areas affected by the heavy ashfall brought by Taal's phreatic explosion this month. The area is located within the danger zone
"We are discouraging actually tourists or locals to go up to Tagaytay dahil nasa Alert Level 4. Mamaya pag-akyat nila, biglang sumabog, makakadagdag pa sila sa tutulungan (If they go there and the volcano erupts, they will just add to those who will need assistance). We are really discouraging them from going to the area or even Tagaytay City,” Densing said during the “Laking Handa” press briefing in Malacanang.
On reports that some business establishments have reopened despite government warning, Densing said he would look into the situation.
He said the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier released a memorandum to the city mayor of Tagaytay that "no commercial establishment shall continue to operate until and unless this issue of alert level four has been downgraded.”
“As early as the second day, no more business is operating within the 14 kilometer zone. In fact, even Tagaytay which is at the upper level, wala na pong mga negosyo nag-ooperate doon (businesses are no longer operating there)," he said.
At present, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 4, that means hazardous eruption is possible within hours or days. Residents living the danger zone have been encouraged to evacuate the area to ensure public safety.
Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr., in the same press briefing, said Taal has maintained its volcanic activity and its threat was not waning.
As of January 20, around 53,716 families or 215,773 persons have been affected by the January 12 phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano.
Of this number, Department of Social Welfare and Development spokeswoman Irene Dumlao said 29,242 families are staying in 416 evacuation centers while 17,505 families are taking shelter in their relatives' houses.
Dumlao said the department has so far extended P7.8 million worth of assistance such as food and nonfood items to affected communities.
"The Department of Social Welfare and Development is prepared to respond to the disaster with its available resources composed of P250 million of standby funds, more than P900 million worth of stockpiles of food and non-food items," she said at the Palace press conference.
The DSWD is also preparing the recovery and rehabilitation plans, she added.
DILG Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III (FACEBOOK/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Commercial establishments located within the 14-kilometer danger zone around the volcano have also been urged to suspend operations until Taal's Alert Level 4 has been downgraded, according to Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III.
Tagaytay City, a popular tourist destination known for its cool mountain breeze and breathtaking view of Lake Taal, is among the areas affected by the heavy ashfall brought by Taal's phreatic explosion this month. The area is located within the danger zone
"We are discouraging actually tourists or locals to go up to Tagaytay dahil nasa Alert Level 4. Mamaya pag-akyat nila, biglang sumabog, makakadagdag pa sila sa tutulungan (If they go there and the volcano erupts, they will just add to those who will need assistance). We are really discouraging them from going to the area or even Tagaytay City,” Densing said during the “Laking Handa” press briefing in Malacanang.
On reports that some business establishments have reopened despite government warning, Densing said he would look into the situation.
He said the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier released a memorandum to the city mayor of Tagaytay that "no commercial establishment shall continue to operate until and unless this issue of alert level four has been downgraded.”
“As early as the second day, no more business is operating within the 14 kilometer zone. In fact, even Tagaytay which is at the upper level, wala na pong mga negosyo nag-ooperate doon (businesses are no longer operating there)," he said.
At present, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 4, that means hazardous eruption is possible within hours or days. Residents living the danger zone have been encouraged to evacuate the area to ensure public safety.
Phivolcs director Renato Solidum Jr., in the same press briefing, said Taal has maintained its volcanic activity and its threat was not waning.
As of January 20, around 53,716 families or 215,773 persons have been affected by the January 12 phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano.
Of this number, Department of Social Welfare and Development spokeswoman Irene Dumlao said 29,242 families are staying in 416 evacuation centers while 17,505 families are taking shelter in their relatives' houses.
Dumlao said the department has so far extended P7.8 million worth of assistance such as food and nonfood items to affected communities.
"The Department of Social Welfare and Development is prepared to respond to the disaster with its available resources composed of P250 million of standby funds, more than P900 million worth of stockpiles of food and non-food items," she said at the Palace press conference.
The DSWD is also preparing the recovery and rehabilitation plans, she added.