Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana assured on Monday that the government has adequate resources to meet the needs of residents affected by Taal Volcano’s phreatic eruption, even as he ordered agencies to ensure the unhampered access to Batangas to emergency relief assistance.
Lorenzana, also chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), made the assurance during a news briefing on Monday afternoon as disaster personnel continued to move into evacuation centers residents affected, and even threatened, by the eruption.
The provincial board has placed Batangas under a state of calamity as a result of phreatic eruption where it continue to spew ash and shoot lava for the second day on Monday, with the ashfall reaching some parts of Metro Manila and even Pampanga on Sunday night.
Lorenzana ordered that masks, transportation and food are available in Batangas following a report that transportation has been crippled in the town of Lemery. He had also asked the Department of Energy to check complaints about the scarcity of gasoline in the province.
The NDRRMC chairman said four helicopters, additional military trucks and personnel are on standby, and are ready to be deployed in case they are needed for the continuing evacuation of residents, which NDRRMC officials said earlier could reach to 300,000 individuals, an estimate, Lorenzana said was too big.
Brig. Gen. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, commander of the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division (ID), which has operational jurisdiction over the whole of Southern Tagalog, said that at least 4,079 families, or 23,701 persons, have been evacuated as of Monday morning. A total of 73 evacuations centers in Batangas’s 24 cities and municipalities have so far been established.
Burgos said they were able to immediately deploy humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR) unit under the 730th Air Force Combat Group during the eruption while two platoons of soldiers, also from the 2nd ID, followed suit.
He said that for additional HADR units, the 2nd ID down to its battalions have their own HADR capabilities and could be deployed anytime.
The Philippine Navy also put on standby its 15 disaster quick response teams from Manila and Cavite, in case they are needed for deployment aside from the 16 M35 trucks, quick response trailers and amphibian trucks.
“The Fleet-Marine Ready Force will be in charge on this operation as our support to the continuing efforts of the AFP’s [response] to Taal Volcano’s eruption,” said Navy spokesman Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas.
Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. put on red alert status all military units in Luzon, ensuring their readiness for full mobilization.
He said the 2nd ID and the Army Support Command has initially deployed 20 military trucks to Batangas as of Sunday night to help in the evacuation while additional are on standby.
‘Sail, don’t fly’
With the limited operations of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the Maritime Industry Authority has advised passengers to opt for sea voyage to get to their destinations.
Based on a document attached to the advisory, there were 70 trips for the Batangas-Calapan route; 30 trips for the Batangas-Abra de Ilog route; 28 for the Batangas-Balatero route; five for the Batangas-Odiongan route; nine for the Batangas-Puerto Galera route; four for the Batangas-Caticlan route; 26 for the Batangas-Muelle route; and one for the Batangas-Romblon route.
“Available sea voyages to and from Luzon ply the Eastern, Western, and Central Nautical Highways. Long haul trips to and from Manila are also available via 2Go,” the Marina advisory read.
Health alert
AS Taal Volcano continue to spew ash, all government health facilities in Calabarzon were placed on full alert, Department of Health (DOH) Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo said.
“All health facilities are ready to provide preventive measures on the possible effects caused by the volcanic eruption that may include traumatic injuries, burns, suffocation, skin diseases, eye injuries, respiratory problems, conjunctivitis, and even death,” Janairo said following a briefing with provincial health officials, and other concerned units of the region.
Janairo added that health emergency personnel, provincial health team leaders, including mental health teams are being deployed to specific areas “to provide immediate medical and health services.”
He, likewise, reminded residents with health conditions, such as emphysema or asthma, bronchitis who were exposed to ashfall should seek medical attention immediately to avoid further health complications.
Volcanic ashfall is one of the major health hazards brought about by a volcanic eruption. A person who is exposed may suffer from eye, nose and throat irritation, difficulty in breathing, cough, bronchitis-like illness and minor skin problems.
Janairo advised residents to stay indoors and, keep all the windows and doors closed to avoid volcanic ash from getting inside.
“For those in evacuaton centers, follow orders and await for further instructions. Don’t leave unless you are being told to do. Be vigilant,” he said, adding that it would be better to listen to radio to be updated.
“…. Be sure to wear protective mask and eye goggles or shades as protection from eye irritation,” Janairo added.
He also appealed to retailers and traders in the region not to take advantage of the situation as there are already reports of overpricing and shortage of the N95 mask.
Affected schools, learners
A bulletin report released by the Department of Education (DepEd) said 5,000 schools and almost 6 million learners were affected by the volcanic activity.
The DepEd said 5,395 schools and 5,942,724 students were affected by the disaster.
The DepEd assured that their personnel would begin immediate deployment of response interventions like distribution of hygiene kits and cleanup funds to affected areas.
In Region 4A, 14 schools are being used as evacuation centers, giving shelter to at least 212 families or 736 individuals.
The DepEd said that they continue to monitor schools being used as evacuation centers, class suspensions, and other effects of the eruption.
“DepEd Division of Batangas and Cavite also attended emergency Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council meeting,” it added.
Fresnedi team
FOLLOWING Sunday afternoon’s eruption, the local government unit (LGU) of Muntinlupa deployed on Monday a rescue team to help in relief operations in Batangas.
According to Muntinlupa City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Erwin Afonso, a group of health workers and emergency services staff are now in the town of Talisay to assist in the ongoing rescue and relief operations.
He said the disaster office is closely coordinating with Region 4A officials in providing services to affected LGUs.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi called for an emergency meeting with the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to discuss safety measures in preventing adverse effects of ashfall from the phreatic eruption of the renowned volcano to city residents.
Phivolcs upgrade
A leader of the House of Representatives, meanwhile, urged the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to expedite the use of its P221 million budget for this year to upgrade the country’s monitoring and warning program for volcanic eruption, earthquake and tsunami.
House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez made the appeal following complaints from residents of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon on the lack of adequate warnings related to the impact of the phreatic explosion of Taal Volcano late Sunday afternoon.
“We do not accuse the Philvolcs for the lack of adequate warnings on the impact of the phreatic explosion. We are aware that it is really difficult to predict the occurrence of volcanic eruption and related disasters,” said Romualdez.
“But this is precisely the reason why Congress included more than P221.48 million capital outlays in the P588.12 million total budget of Phivolcs for 2020. We need to upgrade the country’s monitoring and warning program for volcanic eruption, earthquake and tsunami,” he added.
Emergency pay
Trade Union Congress of the Philippines Rep. Raymond Democrito Mendoza asked employers to provide their workers with pay, even if they are unable to come in to work because of the ash all from Taal Volcano.
“In times of calamity, workers will be relying on their employers to show compassion and give them the wages that they expected to receive under normal circumstances. We have already seen instances of price gouging, with necessities being priced much higher than usual,” he said.
“How will our workers be able to protect themselves and their families if the ‘no work, no pay’ scheme is retained? It is impossible for some to make it through the roads to reach their places of work,” added Mendoza.
According to Mendoza, no less than the national government has requested that businesses allow their employees to stay home from work, but this was not the case for those in the manufacturing and business- process outsourcing industries.
“The volcanic activity of Taal Volcano surprised us all…and local government units in nearby areas have begun to evacuate those who are most vulnerable. There is no telling for how long the situation will remain this way, but workers lives are at risk if they venture out into the open air,” he added.
“This is an occupational safety and health hazard, and under our laws workers can refuse to come in to work. The ashfall has covered the roads and affected the visibility of cars. Businesses should put the health and safety of their workers first,” he added.
Tankers
Manila Water Co. has made available 30 water tankers to provide for the needs of evacuees affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano, in various sites in Southern Luzon.
Through the efforts of its subsidiary, Laguna Water, these tankers will be deployed initially to three towns in the province of Batangas. Four tankers will be sent to the following sites in Tanauan City: Poblacion Balele West Covered Court, Poblacion Gloria, and Tanauan City Gym 2; two to be deployed to PUP Gymnasium in Santo Tomas; and six tankers will be stationed at the Bolbok Provincial Sports Complex in Batangas City. Request for tankers have also been received for San Luis Municipal Hall and Taal Municipal Hall in Batangas, as well as in Alfonso town in Cavite.
The other water tankers will be on stand by for deployment to other evacuation sites as requested by LGUs.
Aid from Pampanga
A 50-vehicle convoy led by Pampanga Gov. Dennis “Delta” G. Pineda has left at 4 p.m. here on Monday for Batangas bringing some 8,500 food packs and equipment to help in the rescue and relief operations.
Pineda, likewise, brought with him medical teams, social workers, rescue and search personnel, as well as equipment to help in the evacuation of residents affected by the ongoing eruption of Taal Volcano.
“We, Capampangans, are paying back,” Pineda said. “When Mount Pinatubo erupted, many came to help and saved us, and help us stand again,” the governor added.
“Our help is to show our thanksgiving,” Pineda declared.
Rene Acosta, Claudeth Mocon-Ciriaco, Jovee Marie N. Dela Cruz, Lorenz S. Marasigan, Ashley Manabat