DSWD mobilizes relief teams as Taal Volcano activity increases
TAAL VOLCANO (PHIVOLCS FILE PHOTO)
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is ramping up its preparations amid escalating seismic activity at Taal Volcano, an agency official said on Monday, July 7.
DSWD-Disaster Response Management Group Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said the agency’s central and field offices, particularly in Region 4A (Calabarzon), are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies.
“This is among our initial response[s] as soon as Phivolcs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology) warned of a possible Taal volcano eruption,” Dumlao said.
“Mapa-preparation or post-disaster response man ‘yan, we make sure that our lines with LGUs are always active dahil sila na nga rin po ang first-line of disaster responders sa kani-kanilang area of jurisdiction (Whether it’s preparation or post-disaster response, we ensure that our communication lines with LGUs are always active because they are the first responders in their respective areas),” she added.
Phivolcs issued an advisory on Sunday, July 6, citing the possibility of a phreatic or phreatomagmatic eruption triggered by increased real-time seismic energy and low sulfur dioxide emissions since June.
A volcanic tremor has been ongoing since 3:37 a.m. on July 6, according to the agency.
“We do not wish for the eruption to occur, but we are making sure that we are well-capacitated in case it happens,” Dumlao said.
“Gaya nga po ng laging ine-emphasize ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, the government should be quick and omnipresent before, during, and after any type of disaster or emergency (As President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. always emphasizes, the government should be quick and ever-present before, during, and after any kind of disaster or emergency),” she added.
In Region 4A alone, the DSWD has prepositioned 207,408 family food packs and 13,178 non-food items, including hygiene kits, kitchen sets, sleeping kits, and family clothing kits, in various storage facilities.
Dumlao said the Disaster Response Management Bureau’s quick response teams and emergency equipment are on standby for immediate deployment if necessary.
The National Resource and Logistics Management Bureau also ensured continuous replenishment of relief supplies to field offices as needed.