NDRRMC mobilizes gov’t response for Taal eruption

MANILA – The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and its counterpart in Calabarzon are closely monitoring the situation in the region after the phreatomagmatic bursts in Taal Volcano and raising of Alert Level 3 on Thursday.

In its 8 a. m. Taal volcano bulletin Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) recorded four short phreatomagmatic eruptions.

Calabarzon Regional DRRMC has been coordinating with the mayors of affected areas in Batangas for resource augmentation for response operations if the volcano unrest remains.

The affected residents include those in the areas of Poblacion, and Sinturisan in San Nicolas; Gulod, Buso Buso, Bugaan West, and Bugaan East in Laurel; Subic Ilaya, Banyaga, and Bilibinwang in Agoncillo; Apacay, Taal; Luyos, and Boot in Tanauan City; and San Sebastian, Balete.

There were already 345 affected families or 1,392 individuals as of 3 p.m. Friday.

A total of 317 families or 1,282 individuals are being served inside 11 evacuation centers while 28 families or 110 individuals are outside evacuation centers or those who stayed with their relatives and friends.

Regional offices of government agencies and uniformed services in Calabarzon have also implemented measures and are in full alert status to provide assistance.

In an emergency meeting conducted by RDRRMC Thursday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government-Calabarzon reported that it has released an advisory to Batangas and Cavite local government units for measures to be implemented.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Rolando Bautista said their Calabarzon office already prepositioned food packs amounting to PHP1.4 million and non-food items PHP11 million.

Deployment of medical personnel is on standby with continuous coordination with the Provincial Health Offices, the Department of Health said.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology is coordinating with telecommunications companies and National Telecommunications Commission for communication concerns.

The Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine Coast Guard have activated their task groups while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said it has also prepositioned its floating assets and vehicles for mobilization. (PR)