Policemen urged to donate at least P10 for relief efforts amid Taal eruption
MANILA, Philippines — Policemen all over the country are urged to donate at least P10 to aid those who are affected by Taal Volcano’s ash explosion.
Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa said funds that will be generated will be used to buy equipment and goods needed by local government units and the victims themselves.
“I am asking the members of the PNP a 10-peso voluntary contribution so that we can generate funds to help especially those Filipinos who are misplaced by the reason of this disaster,” Gamboa said in a press briefing in Camp Crame.
“Kung makuha na namin itong voluntary contribution, we will ask Calabarzon kung ano kailangan nila so that yun yung mga dadalhin namin sa Calabarzon,” he added.
Gamboa said the PNP also asked for voluntary contribution last year when Mindanao was rocked by strong quakes. He added that the agency was able to generate about P3 million from the contributions.
Station commanders will be the ones who will collect the contributions, he added.
“We’re expecting also na ma-generate yung ganun na amount. Ito purely para sa civilians, hindi ito sa mga kapulisan, this is our way of helping those who are victims of this calamity,” the PNP official said.
Gamboa earlier ordered the full alert status for all units and offices in its national headquarters, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, and National Capital Region. All personnel were directed to be ready for deployment to assist in disaster and relief operations.
READ: PNP on full alert amid Taal Volcano eruption
About 2,000 police officers are on standby at the national headquarters of the PNP.
Officials of the PNP will go to the police office in Calabarzon to assess what kind of equipment they need for the rescue operations, aside from food for the rescue teams and relief goods for evacuation centers.
“Ang immediate na kailangan ay rakers. We’re planning to buy ‘yung mga shovel para makatulong din dito. Ang threat kasi natin is ashfall and yung mga putik,” Gamboa said.
On Sunday, Taal Volcano spewed steam, ash and small rocks. This prompted the government to order the evacuation of residents in nearby villages and ask tourists to leave the Tagaytay, Batangas and Cavite areas as precaution for an imminent eruption.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised the danger level to 4 late on Sunday, meaning a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours or days.
READ: Taal Volcano erupts
