MMDA will set up portable water purifiers in Batangas

MANILA, Philippines — Two portable water purifiers will be set up in the city of Santo Tomas in Batangas as thousands fled their homes following the eruption of Taal Volcano, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Monday.

In a press briefing, Michael Salalima, head of the MMDA Public Safety Office and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Focal Person said an additional contingent from the MMDA would set up the portable water purifiers in the area.

The Santo Tomas and Tanauan have been identified as evacuation sites for residents affected by the eruption of the Taal Volcano.

“We will also deploy our radio personnel to establish a communication facility in the area,” Salalima said.

The MMDA earlier dispatched a team composed of 30 rescue-and-relief personnel to take part in the mass evacuation of affected residents.

Salalima added that Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivares had allocated 1,500 bottled waters and food items that would be brought by the second batch of the MMDA contingent.

He assured the public that the MMDA was in close coordination with the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Batangas and Calabarzon.

MMDA General Manager Jojo Garcia and Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) officer-in-charge Romulo Cabantac, meanwhile, said they had requested the 17 local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila to allocate some of their resources for evacuation and relief efforts.

Cabantac also called on the LGUs to monitor the price of N95 masks, which would protect users from breathing in hazardous particles, following complaints that some retailers had taken advantage of the high demand due to ashfall brought about by Taal Volcano’s eruption.

He also advised the LGUs to accommodate and account the displaced persons that would be coming from the affected areas.

/atm