THE National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) yesterday said local government units (LGUs) are ready to evacuate people near Mayon Volcano in Albay, Taal Volcano in Batangas, and Kanlaon Volcano in Negros Island, which exhibited increased volcanic activities, if the situation worsens.
“We’re prepared… Our LGUs are prepared, specifically the LGUs where these volcanoes are situated,” NDRRMC deputy spokesman Diego Mariano told the “Laging Handa” public briefing.
Mariano said these LGUs have evacuation plans ready to be implemented in case of emergency.
“Just in case the situation worsens, we’re ready to evacuate. The assistance that will be given to people who will be affected, they are also ready,” said Mariano.
As of yesterday, Mariano said there was still no need to evacuate people.
“There are no major developments as of now because these (volcanoes) are not under Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) or higher,” said Mariano.
Authorities usually implement evacuation operations under Alert Level 3.
Mayon is under Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) while Taal and Kanlaon are under Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest).
The highest alert is Level 5, which means a hazardous eruption is in progress. Alert Level 4 means a hazardous eruption is imminent.
Mariano said the NDRRMC is continuously monitoring the three volcanoes to ensure there are no people inside the permanent danger zones.
“We are also ensuring that preparedness measures are in place,” added Mariano.
Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said he has ordered the department’s field offices in Regions IV-A (Calabarzon) and V (Bicol) to preposition at least 100,000 family food packs per region in case of an eruption.
Gatchalian, at a forum, said the Department of Social Welfare and Developments (DSWD) has continuously been preparing for any eventuality.
“We continue to stockpile to make sure that whatever happens, we are ready to augment the local government’s efforts. We know that in response, the frontline response is to be made by the local government, but if it is an overwhelming disaster, the national government must help),” he said in mixed Filipino and English.
He said he also assured Albay Gov. Edcel Grex Lagman that the DSWD is ready to respond in case a major eruption occurs.
The DSWD Field Office V in Bicol Region has activated its quick response team to monitor developments at Mayon Volcano.
Mayon was placed under Alert Level 2 last Sunday due to increased rockfall events. From 5 a.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. yesterday, two volcanic earthquakes and 46 rockfall events were recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).
At Taal, Phivolcs said it has observed increased degassing activity but it remains under Alert Level 1. Taal emitted 7,680 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2) from 5 a.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m yesterday.
Kanlaon volcano, meanwhile, showed increased low-frequency earthquakes and SO2 emission. It has been under Alert Level 1 since March 2022. From 5 a.m. Tuesday to 5 a.m. yesterday, Phivolcs said it observed five volcanic earthquakes from the volcano.
Mayor Cinderella Reyes of Agoncillo town in Batangas has ordered the suspension of classes in three barangays which were covered with volcanic smog or “vog.”
“In-person classes are temporarily suspended in Banyaga, Bilibinwang and Barigon until June 9,” said Reyes. — With Jocelyn Montemayor
