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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 263 individuals experience respiratory distress due to Taal vog – OCD

263 individuals experience respiratory distress due to Taal vog – OCD

Published Sep 24, 2023 07:43 am

The number of persons who sought medical assistance due to the effects of Taal volcanic smog (vog) in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon or Region 4A) has increased to 263, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Saturday night, Sept. 23.

In a statement, the OCD said that the figure was more than double than the 112 consultations recorded on Sept. 22.

“As of writing, a total of 263 individuals have reportedly experienced mild to moderate respiratory distress. The Department of Health (DOH) Calabarzon, meanwhile, assured that the Taal vog’s effects in the region are still manageable and medical resources remain sufficient,” the OCD said.

The complaints include respiratory track irritation, bronchial asthma, cough and colds, and dizziness among others.

OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno convened earlier to coordinate the ongoing response operations following the release of vog from Taal Volcano which affected various municipalities in Calabarzon since Sept. 22.

“The national government is always on board, and we have supplies on standby in case there is a need to augment the local stockpile,” Nepomuceno said.

The OCD administrator also advised the public to be informed about the status of Taal and the updates on the volcanic smog.

“We also want to emphasize the importance of being informed. We ask everyone to stay updated by following reliable sources, as well as the advisories and warnings of authorities for safety,” Nepomuceno added.

Vog consists of fine droplets containing volcanic gas such as sulfur dioxide (SO2) which is acidic and can cause irritation of the eyes, throat and respiratory tract with severities depending on the gas concentrations and durations of exposure. 

People who may be particularly sensitive to vog are those with health conditions such as asthma, lung disease and heart disease, the elderly, pregnant women, and children.

The OCD said that preparedness and response interventions were continuously being implemented by members of the Provincial Quick Response Teams (PQRTs) of Batangas, Cavite and Laguna to assist the residents affected Taal vog.

Related Tags

Vog Taal Volcano Office of Civil Defense
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