LGUs near Taal Volcano told to prepare amid continued unrest

MANILA – The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Tuesday reminded all local government units (LGUs) near the Taal Volcano Island to undertake necessary precautions due to the volcano’s increased unrest.

“The NDRRMC is constantly monitoring the situation of Taal, and Our Regional DRRMC for CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal Quezon) has already reminded all LGUs around the volcano island to ensure readiness for any possibility,” said NDRRMC deputy spokesperson Mark Cashean Timbal, in a message to reporters.
Preparations include the activation of evacuation sites and relief support.

“(These include) preparations for evacuation activities, evacuation centers, relief support, etc, (aside from) integrating Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) protection protocols,” Timbal said.

On Tuesday morning, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Alert Level 2 over the volcano which means eruption could still happen.

While evacuation is not recommended under this alert status, the public is advised against going to the Taal Volcano Island which is classified as a permanent danger zone.

The vicinities of the main crater and Daang Kastila fissure must also remain strictly off-limits to people.