A
ERUPTION OF TAAL VOLCANO
A. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
Taal Volcano is a large caldera filled by Taal Lake on Luzon island in the
Philippines, and is in the province of Batangas. Taal Volcano is the second most active
volcano in the Philippines, with 33 recorded historical eruptions, all of which were
concentrated on Volcano Island, near the middle of Taal Lake. The caldera was formed
by prehistoric eruptions between 140,000 and 5,380 BP. Viewed from the Tagaytay
Ridge in Cavite, Taal Volcano and Lake presents one of the most picturesque and
attractive views in the Philippines. It is located about 50 kilometers (31 mi) south of the
capital of the country, the city of Manila. The main crater of Taal Volcano originally had
a lake, until the 2020 eruption that evaporated the water inside it.
On 12 January 2020, the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine
Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST- PHIVOLCS) raised an Alert Level
from 1 to 4 after increasing activity of Taal Volcano, which is located on the island of
Luzon in Batangas, CALABARZON (Region IV-A). An Alert Level 4 means that a
hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days; and warrants a “Danger
Zone” of up to 14 kilometres from the main crater.
Approximately 459,300 people are living within the 14 kilometres Danger Zone
(OCHA). Taal Volcano is among the most active volcanoes in the Philippines, with more
than 30 reported eruptions. According to DOST- PHIVOLCS, eruptive activity at Taal
Volcano main crater has intensified, with continuous eruptions generating a 15 kilometre
of steam laden cloud of super-heated ash, with frequent volcanic lightning that has rained
wet ashfall as far as Quezon City, some 100 kilometres away. This has subsequently
progressed to a magmatic eruption accompanied by thunder and more lightning early
Monday morning.
As of 05:00 hrs local time on 13 January 2020, 75 volcanic earthquakes have been
reported, of which 32 have been felt from Intensity II (Weak) to V (Strong) in Alitagtag,
Cabuyao, Laguna, Lemery, Tagaytay and Talisay, Batangas province. The increase in
seismic activity may lead to further eruptions from Taal Volcano.
As of 13 January 2020, 24,508 people (5,458 families) had been relocated to 77
evacuation centres (EC) that were established. This number is expected to increase as
evacuations are ongoing. Areas around Taal Volcano are being advised to guard against
the effects of heavy and prolonged ashfall. The duration of the evacuation cannot but
determined but for the recent Mayon volcano event lasted four months.
In accordance with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) standard operating procedures
(SOP), the Operations Centre (OpCen), which functions 24/7, is on heightened alert.
National Disaster Response Teams (NDRT), Emergency Response Units (ERU), health
and welfare personnel have been alerted for possible deployment. The PRC
Communications teams has been posting updates and photos of the situation on
Facebook and Twitter.
The PRC’s Batangas Chapter has mobilized a Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs
Analysis (RDANA) team to support evacuations and conduct assessments in the affected
A
areas. Red Cross Action Teams (RCAT 143) and Red Cross community-based volunteers
(Red Cross 143) have been put on standby for possible mobilization. Close coordination
with the LGU, national and provincial disaster councils (NDRRMC and PDRRMC) is
also being maintained. This has also included connection with medical facilities located
in surrounding areas for referrals, if required. PRC have established welfare desks at the
ECs, which are providing first aid, psychosocial support (PSS) and restoring family links
(RFL) services.
PRC have also mobilized two ‘hot meals on wheels’ vans. A total of five
ambulances have been mobilized, and connections established with public health services
located in surrounding areas, for referrals if required. An additional ambulance, one 6x6
rescue truck, and five multipurpose vehicles are also put on standby. A total of 400 sets
of prepositioned personal protective equipment (PPE), including eye goggles and dust
masks, are in the process of being mobilized for personnel operating in the affected area.
The PRC Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) unit has activated a WASH hub in
Batangas province, with 10 local personnel mobilized. PRC water tankers to support
water distribution in the ECs have also been mobilized; and members of RCATs
specialized in WASH alerted for deployment. The PRC WASH unit in Cebu province
has also been alerted if additional support is required.
B. BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY DISASTERS AND ACCIDENTS AND COMMON
EMERGENCIES.
Taal Volcano is situated on Volcano Island and is listed as a “Permanent Danger
Zone”, with permanent settlement on the island not recommended. Precautionary
evacuations of at-risk communities living have taken place in 16 municipalities of
Batangas and two municipalities in Cavite provinces on the advice of DOST-
PHIVOLCS.
DOST-PHILVOLCS reminds the public that sudden steam-driven and even weak
phreatomagmatic explosions volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and lethal volcanic gas
expulsions can still occur and threaten areas within tall volcano island and nearby
lakeshores. DOST-PHILVOCS recommends that entry into the tall volcano island as
well as into areas over tall lake and communities west of the island within a seven 7 km
radius from the main crater must be strictly prohibited. Local government units are
advised to assess areas outside the seven kilometer radius for damage and road
accessibilities and to strengthen preparedness, contingency and communication measures
in case of renewed unrest.
People are also advised to observe precautions due to ground displacement across
fissures, frequent ashfall and minor earthquakes. Communities besides active river
channels particularly where ash from the main eruption phase has been thickly deposited
should increase vigilance when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall since the ash can be
washed away and from lahars along the channel, civil aviation authorities must advise
pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from
sudden explosions and wind-remobilized ash may pose hazards to aircraft
A
NOVEL CORONA VIRUS
A. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
A novel coronavirus is a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified.
The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not that same as the
coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the
common cold.
On February 11, 2020 the World Health Organization announced an official name
for the disease that is causing the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak, first identified in
Wuhan China. The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as
COVID-19.
Public health officials and partners are working hard to identify the original animal
source of the virus that causes COVID-19. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses,
some causing illness in people and others that circulate among animals, including
camels, cats and bats. Analysis of the genetic tree of this virus indicates it originated in
bats, but whether the virus jumped directly from bats or whether there was an
intermediary animal host is not, yet, known. SARS-CoV, another bat-origin coronavirus
jumped to infect people via civets, while MERS-CoV, another bat-origin coronavirus
jumped to people via camels. More information about the source and spread of this novel
coronavirus available on the COVID-19 Situation Summary: Source and Spread of the
Virus.
B. BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY DISASTERS AND ACCIDENTS AND COMMON
EMERGENCIES.
