DOH to provide P1.5M worth of N95 masks, other items for Taal evacuees

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) said Monday it will provide P1.5 million worth of N95 face masks, water containers, and eye drops to residents in evacuation centers in Batangas province following the phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano.

Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo says the DOH has yet to provide the exact number of items to be provided to the evacuees as of posting time.

The DOH made the announcement following reports of hoarding and sudden surge in prices of surgical face masks due to high demand amid the threat of ash inhalation.

Thousands have been evacuated by local authorities in the area as residents suffer from ash fall brought by Taal Volcano’s unrest.

The entire province of Batangas has been placed under state of calamity following the damage brought by the eruption.

A phreatic eruption is driven by steam that occurs when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or new volcanic deposits.

According to the United States Geological Survey, it can often precede, accompany, or follow a more traditional volcanic eruption.

Alert level 4 remains over Taal Volcano, which means that  hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours or days.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned that volcanic tsunami is possible if the alert level is raised to 5, the highest level of volcanic unrest where there is ongoing harazdous eruption.