More than 7,000 evacuated since Taal Volcano spewed ash: NDRRMC

January 13, 2020

More than 7,000 were evacuated after Taal Volcano started spewing ash Sunday.

As of 6am Monday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said a total of 7,742 people or 966 families from Calabarzon are being served inside the 38 evacuation centers.

The affected population were recorded in eight cities and municipalities in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite.

The NDRRMC said of 10 pm Sunday the Talisay-Tagaytay Road also in Calabarzon was temporarily closed to give way for evacuation of the residents in the area.

The local government of the total of 118 cities and municipalities in National Capital Region (NCR) and Calabarzon has suspended classes on Monday.

Work in all the government offices in Central Luzon, Calabarzon and NCR were also suspended.

According to NDRRMC, a total of 87 domestic flights and 109 international flights were also cancelled because of the volcanic ash from Taal Volcano.

Amid the ongoing development, the NDRRMC operation center was placed on red alert status since 9 pm Jan. 12.

Capt. Armand Balilo. Philippine Coast Guard spokesman, said upon the request of the municipality of  Lemery, PCG Batangas  dispatched two trucks to assist in evacuation.

"We also have two more (vehicles) on standby at Fernando Air Base. Also, we dispatched a PCG  bus to San Nicolas, Batangas," he said.

Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman, said AFP Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Felimon Santos Jr. ordered the military;s Luzon-based units placed on red alert effective 6 pm Sunday.

"He has ordered the deployment of HADR ( Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response) units in coordination with local DRRMCs ( Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council) to assist local government units affected by the explosion," he said.

"The Army's 2nd Infantry Division which has Southern Tagalog region in its area of operations has initially dispatched eight military trucks. Disaster responsetTeams were also deployed in the towns of Agoncillo, Balete, Talisay, and Laurel --all of Batangas, to assist residents in coordination with the MDRRMC," said Arevalo.

Arevalo said the AFP is ready to send additional military trucks in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to Batangas,  

"We are in constant coordination with the local government units and the Office of Civil Defense and ready to provide available equipment and manpower to assist in disaster response operations," he said.

"We will provide updates as soon as they are available," he added.

Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, Philippine Navy public affairs acting director, said they have placed on standby 15 Disaster Response and Rescue Team (DRRT) units from Manila and Cavite area for deployment,.

"There are at least 16 transportation assets that can be utilized such as M35, DRRT trailers and amphibian trucks to support our personnel and help evacuate people in the affected area," she said.

"The Fleet Marine Ready Force will be in charge on this operation as our support to the continuing efforts of the AFP's re Taal Volcano's eruption," she added. Robina Asido/DMS