The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) urged the public to remain alert on the dangers posed by volcanic eruptions, citing the recent magma movement in the Kanlaon and Taal volcanoes.
In a statement, the DILG urged the concerned public to immediately relocate to the government-assigned evacuation areas when receiving advisories from the local government units (LGUs) and their emergency rescue and response teams.
During the evacuation, the DILG appealed to the concerned parties to provide the necessary assistance to pregnant women, children, the elderly and persons with disability (PWD) to ensure that they are put to safer grounds.
At the height of the volcanic activity, the public was advised to wear eye protection, cover their mouth and nose with “dust masks’’ or when necessary wet handkerchief or textile.
The DILG also urged the evacuees to avoid going to ponds, lakes and other waterways or near these areas where lahar may cascade.
When necessary, bring their pets or domesticated animals in secure locations toprevent them from inhaling volcanic ash.
Earlier, the DILG called on the localities in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) to enforce appropriate measures in preparation for possible occurrences of earthquakes and tsunamis.
A few days before Christmas, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported a total of 55 earthquakes offshore of Ilocos Sur, traced to the Manila Trench, leading to concerns for possible high-magnitude earthquakes.
In a statement, the DILG stated that the concerned local government units (LGUs) need to be vigilant in implementing critical preparations despite the decline of earthquakes generated at the Manila Trench.
On December 26, the Phivolcs noted that the earthquakes in the Manila Trench have already decreased with one recorded activity each for December 24 and 25.
In an advisory, the DILG encouraged all concerned local chief executives (LCEs) to prepare for possible intensification of the earthquake sequence.
“LGUs are enjoined to convene their local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, conduct Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments, and strictly implement minimum early and critical preparedness measures based on Operation L!STO manuals,’’ the DILG said.
The DILG also called on the concerned local government units (LGUs) to identify and establish evacuation routes, directional signs, and safe zones for at-risk communities; organize and train response teams; preposition food, temporary shelters, and debris-clearing equipment; and ensure the availability of lifeline utilities.
In the same advisory, DILG prodded the LGUs to closely coordinate with their regional and provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Councils (DRRMCs), Phivolcs and other relevant agencies for technical support, risk assessments, and public awareness campaigns.
The DILG also alerted the public, especially those living in coastal communities, to monitor natural signs of an approaching local tsunami, and immediately move to high grounds or away from the shoreline if any signs of tsunami are observed.