Año tells Taal-affected LGUs: Remain vigilant, prepare for any eventuality
MANILA, Philippines — Local government units (LGUs) near Taal Volcano such as Batangas and Cavite as well as public safety units should continue to take necessary precautions despite the lowering of the volcano’s alert level from 4 to 3.
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año made the call on Monday, urging authorities not to “drop their guard.”
“Ayon na rin sa Phivolcs, kahit na ibinaba na ang alert level, hindi pa rin tayo dapat maging kampante. The crisis is not over. It’s over when there is no longer any alert level,” Año said in a statement.
(Even Phivolcs said that even though the alert status was lowered, we should not be complacent. The crisis is not over. It’s over when there is no longer any alert level.)
“Maging handa at listo pa rin tayo sa ano mang puwedeng mangyari para masiguro ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan,” he added.
(We should be vigilant and prepared for anything that can happen so that we can ensure the safety of our fellow Filipinos.)
On Sunday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) lowered Taal’s alert level to 3, meaning that there is a “decreased tendency toward a hazardous explosive eruption.”
It also narrowed the exclusion zone around Taal from 14 kilometers (km) to 7 km. This allowed evacuees to return to their homes, two weeks after the volcano erupted.
LGUs with communities residing near Taal Lake and within the 7-kilometer danger zone is still on lockdown, Año said, as per Bulletin No. 2 of the Batangas Provincial Government.
However, those outside of the danger zone may return to their homes and places of work subject to clearance from their respective LGUs.
Año said that LGUs must be prepared for a “quick and organized evacuation” at such time that the Taal Volcano’s alert level will be raised again.
He was pertaining to the mayors of Alitagtag, Balete, Cuenca, Lemery, Lipa City, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, San Nicolas, Sta. Teresa, Taal, Talisay, and Tanauan City.
“Based on your sound discretion, you may advise residents, communities, and owners of business establishments, particularly those outside the 7-km Danger Zone, that they have the option to return, but must be prepared for a quick and organized evacuation at such time that the alert level will again be raised,” he said.
Entry into Taal Volcano Island’s permanent danger zone remains strictly prohibited, as Año ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to not allow anyone to the said area.
LGUs should also conduct an assessment on their areas outside the 7-km danger zone for damage, road accessibility, and other secondary hazards.
Año also advised the provincial governors of Batangas and Cavite to take proactive measures in ensuring that all local chief executives within their respective jurisdictions are taking the necessary precautionary measures relative to the Taal Volcano eruption.
“All PNP and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) units deployed to Batangas are to remain in place until further orders from the NDRRMC and PHIVOLCS. They shall continue to assist LGUs to implement the lockdown in the 7-km danger zone, provide security in evacuation centers, help in the road clearing and in the delivery of relief goods, among others. They are to remain under full alert,” he said.
As of January 27, 2020, the PNP has deployed 2,538 search and rescue personnel from the national and regional PNP headquarters and placed 9,560 SAR personnel on standby. It has also deployed 1,973 PNP personnel to evacuation areas and 178 personnel to areas vacated by affected residents and rescued 132,514 civilians.
On the other hand, the Bureau of Fire Protection has deployed 211 firetrucks, six SRU vehicles, 18 ambulances, and 1,378 personnel in the affected areas.
