‘Volcano activity could delay vaccine delivery’
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) appealed yesterday to residents living within the seven-kilometer danger zone of Taal Volcano not to return to their homes yet due to the threat of “explosive eruptions.”
“We need to observe Taal Volcano’s activities. In case there will be a downward trend, we have to wait for two weeks to make sure that it’s already safe to return and to lower its status,” Science Undersecretary and Phivolcs officer-in-charge Renato Solidum Jr. said in an interview with Teleradyo.
While there is presently no indication of a bigger eruption, Solidum reminded the public to “be vigilant, because magma is rising.”
On Thursday, Phivolcs raised the alert level of Taal from 2 (increased unrest) to 3 (magmatic unrest) as it reminded the public to avoid entering Taal Volcano island and the high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel in Batangas.
Phivolcs also issued an evacuation advisory covering the barangays of Banyaga and Bilibinwang in Agoncillo, and the barangays of Gulod, Boso-boso and Lakeshore Bugaan East in Laurel town. Affected areas also include Poblacion, and Sinturisan in San Nicolas, Subic Ilaya in Agoncillo, Apacay, Taal, Boot in Tanauan City and San Sebastian in Balete.
Sen. Joel Villanueva urged the government to prepare for possible delays in COVID-19 vaccine shipments due to disruptions on inbound and outbound flights should Taal Volcano erupt.
He noted the Jan. 12, 2020 eruption that cancelled 643 flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque and Clark airport in Pampanga, affecting more than 100,000 passengers.
“If that happens again, heaven forbid, what’s our Plan B for flights carrying imported vaccines? And how will we dispatch vaccines to provinces because we’re using Manila as a base,” he said.
Pre-emptive evacuation
About 317 families or 1,282 individuals have been preventively evacuated due to phreatomagmatic eruptions, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported yesterday.
The Department of Tourism has called on tourists and tourism operators near Taal Volcano to evacuate. It also asked for the postponement of activities and non-essential travel to high-risk towns until declared safe by authorities.
Malacañang appealed to residents living near the volcano to heed the call of local government units for evacuation and taking precautionary measures due to a possible eruption.
“We ask residents in the areas surrounding the volcano lake to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures, cooperate with their local authorities should the need for evacuation arise,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque Jr. said.
Roque said President Duterte ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 4-A to stockpile food packs worth P1.4 million and non-food items worth P11 million, ready for deployment in relief operations.
Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar directed Calabarzon police director Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz to deploy police vehicles to help evacuate residents in high-risk areas.
“Our police commanders were also instructed to coordinate with the local DRRMCs (disaster risk reduction and management councils) not only for the evacuation of the affected residents but also in the assessment of their needs,” Eleazar said.
The Batangas police deployed 946 personnel, backed by 134 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine Coast Guard.
Warning
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire warned the public that the ashfall and sulfur emissions from Taal Volcano might cause eye and skin irritations, itchy throat and nose, coughing and difficulty in breathing.
“You have to wear masks and eye protection. Better if it will be N95 masks to prevent inhalation of these emissions. If you really need to go out of your homes, wear goggles or N95 masks and wear long clothes to prevent skin irritation,” she added.
Meanwhile, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas national chair Fernando Hicap urged the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources to assess the fisheries and aquaculture damage in Taal Lake and prepare calamity assistance for affected fisherfolk. – Sheila Crisostomo, Christina Mendez, Ralph Edwin Villanueva, Romina Cabrera, Emmanuel Tupas, Paolo Romero, Rhodina Villanueva