TAAL VOLCANO ERUPTION

Taal Volcano is a large caldera filled by Taal lake with 36 recorded historical eruptions, all of which were concentrated on Volcano Island, near the middle of Taal Lake. The island is listed as a Permanent Danger Zone, with permanent settlement on the island not recommended; however, approximately 53,697 individual and CHF 129 millions of infrastructure are within the 10 kilometer high risk radius and 2.81 million people are within 30 Kilometer distance according to the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster management (AHA Centre). Taal Volcano erupted in early January 2020 affecting 6,165 families or 22,228 persons in 148 Barangays in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon), and leading to an evacuation of more than 1,200 families, damage to infrastructure and livelihoods, and disruption of essential services, such as water supply and education according to International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and Red Crescent. Latest situation report shows that 5,245,928 students in 4,498 schools were affected. Taal Volcano’s eruption could hit as much as PHP 4.314 billion in terms of economic losses, equivalent to 0.17% of the region’s economic output in 2018 according to the National Economic and Development Authority. Overall, it puts the CALABARZON region at a high level of exposure from the Taal Volcano eruption (Exposure Rating: 4). On 28 June 2021, sulfur dioxide emission averaged at an all-time high of 14,326 tonnes/day and volcanic smog was observed over the CALABARZON, the National Capital Region, and other parts of Luzon. Exposure to volcanic smog can irritate eyes, throat, and respiratory tract. People with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, pregnant women, and children are the most vulnerable to its effects. Communities around the Taal Lake shore are advised to take precautionary measures and be vigilant of possible lake water disturbances related to the unrest. In accordance with the PRC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), the PRC activated its Emergency Operations Center for Taal Volcano Eruption to monitor the eruption and alert level, weather, situations and provide pertinent information to offices and chapters 24/7. The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) Alert Level was raised to yellow meaning that all services are on high alert to monitor the situation and standby necessary assets to support the affected areas. The National Disaster Response Teams (NDRT), PRC Emergency Response Units (ERU), safety, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health and welfare personnel have been alerted for possible deployment. Close coordination with the LGU, national and provincial disaster councils (NDRRMC and PDRRMC) is maintained. With the IFRC continuously coordinating with various government and non-government agencies, including members of the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) it makes the vulnerability level of the affected regions at a moderate vulnerable rating of 2.

MOST VULNERABLE BARANGAYS

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN