BFP to help clear roads of mud, ash in areas affected by eruption

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año. INQUIRER.net file photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) will assist in clearing roads blanketed by mud and ash in areas affected by the phreatic or steam-driven eruption of the Taal Volcano.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said he had ordered the BFP to mobilize all resources to assist in clearing roads covered by ash fall from the volcano.

He added that “in these trying times,” everyone must unite and all concerned agencies should respond with urgency.

“I therefore direct the BFP to deploy all its firetrucks and assets and perform all needed actions to assist in the road clearing and cleaning of ashfall and volcanic debris in all affected provinces,” he said in a statement.

According to Año, 531 fire personnel, 147 firetrucks, 39 emergency medical service personnel, and nine ambulances from BFP-Calabarzon were already deployed to affected areas to aid in the road-clearing effort.

“The BFP has the firetrucks and water provisions to help in clearing the roads of [ash] from the volcano. Itong putik na ito ay nagiging malaking hadlang sa paglikas ng ating mga kababayan at sa paghahatid ng relief goods sa kanila [This mud is a huge hindrance to the evacuation of our countrymen and in the delivery of relief goods],” he said.

Meanwhile, Año advised all local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila to coordinate with villages from affected LGUs regarding the influx of evacuees for security monitoring purposes, and for medical assistance on respiratory-related illnesses triggered by ash inhalation.

He said the DILG will also coordinate with LGUs in Metro Manila for vehicles, breathing apparatuses, and water purifiers they can commit to send to affected areas in Calabarzon.

Edited by JPV