BATANGAS CITY — Amid the recent eruptions of Mt. Mayon in Albay and Mt. Kanlaon in Negros Island, the Batangas provincial government has intensified its emergency and contingency planning in the event of the eruption of Taal Volcano, as one of the country’s most active volcanoes.
Batangas public information office chief Jenelyn A. Aguilera told Philippine News Agency on Monday that the provincial government, through its Batangas Provincial Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC), convened on May 2 to strengthen its disaster preparedness, emergency and contingency plans in case of a Taal Volcano eruption scenario.
Aguilera said the Batangas PDRRMC, 14 local government units (LGUs) along the Taal Volcano lakeshore and representatives from various local and national government agencies have conducted their planning workshop to craft steps using the three major eruption scenarios which could affect the immediate peripheral towns surrounding the volcano.
She said the first eruption scenario consists of the “Bay Surge”, or the emission of hot steam, gas or smoke including volcanic debris along the Taal Lake area.
The second scenario is the “Lake Oscillation,” or the increase in water level and series of waves in the lake water in the event of an eruption.
The third scenario is the “Volcanic Ballistic Projectiles,” or the explosion of volcanic debris to the air and the ash fall or even the falling debris which could affect the nearby towns.
Aguilera also said that part of the contingency plan is the establishment of the Command and Control center equipped with the Incident Command System and the establishment of the Incident Management Team.
Under this plan, appropriate sites as safer grounds away from the permanent danger zones would be setup in each lakeshore town for the various emergency and contingency operations.
She said that the operations centers would be manned by the town contingents and incident commanders who will supervise and manage the disaster response operations.
The plans also include establishment of command centers; nearest designated evacuation sites, and hospitals and surveying of the entire provincial road networks; designated landing and take-off sites as helicopter bases for airlift and evacuation operations.
Batangas PDRRM Officer IV Fe Fernandez said that they are preparing the contingency and emergency plans which could be activated and ready for implementation in any eventuality.
Fernandez said the disaster plan could help speed up work by the council members and emergency responders including rescue and evacuation operations.
She said it is vital to the operations on quick response; immediate evacuation and the giving of relief goods, medicines and other basic support needs.
The Batangas PDRRMC has also established communication links and emergency telecommunications systems to speed up communication and information to council member agencies and the public.
“Ligtas ang may alam (it is safe to be informed),” said Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP)- Fire Chief Marshall Senior Inspector Glenn Salazar who is one of the planners.
Salazar also enjoined every Batangueño family to start their readiness and preparedness in case of any disaster or calamity right at home and share their knowledge on safety tips and guidelines to their neighbors and the community. (PR)
