ISLAND LOCKDOWN. Several government agencies on Wednesday (June 14, 2023) conducted a site inspection on Taal Volcano Island to monitor the status of the volcano, the residents around the lake, as well as fish cage owners. Tourists and other non-residents are temporarily restricted from the island. (Photo courtesy of Batangas PIO)
TALISAY, Batangas – The Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) on Thursday announced that tighter security will be imposed in and around Taal Volcano Island, temporarily banning tourists and other non-residents from setting foot in the restive volcano’s home.
In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, Dr. Amor Banuelos-Calayan, PDRRMO head, said they conducted a site inspection on Taal Volcano Island to monitor the status of the residents and fish cage owners around the lake.
"From what we saw, they said they no longer live there but we also found some cows and other animals for grazing as well as household items,” Banuelos-Calayan said.
She underscored the importance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in securing the perimeter of the island amid Taal Volcano’s unrest.
"We need to define those who enter the island since it must be controlled and monitored until they return home. Tourists are not allowed on the island because it is a permanent danger zone. It is also not a habitation area anymore,” Banuelos-Calayan added.
Meanwhile, the fish cage owners are still allowed entry during daytime but must leave in the afternoon to ensure their safety.
"Usually, they start in the morning at around 10:00 and they leave at 3:00 in the afternoon because the waves are getting stronger," Banuelos-Calayan added.
She urged the local government units (LGUs) inside the danger zones to ensure the welfare of the evacuees and to immediately assess and coordinate their needs with the PDRRMO.
"In the town of Talisay, the local government, through National Housing Authority, already built 140 houses and still building more than 400 houses for the evacuees," she said.
Banuelos-Calayan also reminded the public that the province is continuously monitoring, reviewing, and validating the contingency plans of the LGUs up to the barangay level to ensure that everything is set “worse comes to worst".
The Office of Civil Defense 4-A led the site inspection and was joined by Batangas P/Col. Rainerio De Chavez, PNP acting Provincial Director; Captain Victorino Acosta IV, PCG Batangas commander; and representatives from the office of Taal Volcano Protected Landscape – Protected Area Superintendent; Department of Health 4-A; Department of the Interior and Local Government–Calabarzon; Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs); Department of Environment and Natural Resources 4-A; AFP–Southern Luzon Command; and Department of Education 4-A. (PNA)
