Military, Metro Manila units assist in Taal eruption evacuations

Both the Philippine military and Metro Manila emergency response units were assisting in the evacuation of families in Batangas due to the phreatic eruption at the Taal Volcano on Sunday.

In an advisory, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it would provide an initial 20 trucks to evacuate affected families and individuals from Talisay to Nasugbu and other areas.

The AFP said another 10 trucks were now on standby in Fort Bonifacio, should they be needed.

Units of the AFP were also assisting the local government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in the evacuation.

"Series of meetings and collaboration as well as assessment through our line units in coordination with the LGUs to provide immediate assistance to the affected residents on the current Taal volcano condition," the AFP said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy said that all 15 of their Disaster Response and Rescue Team (DRRT) units in the Manila and Cavite areas were "on standby," ready to be deployed.

The teams had their own Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief capabilities, which included at least 16 transportation assets such as M35 2 1/2 ton trucks, DRRT trailers, and amphibian trucks.

The Fleet Marine Ready Force would be in charge of the operation should the Navy be called in to assist in evacuations.

MMDA, Manila

In its advisory, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Chairman Danilo Lim and General Manager Jojo Garcia had instructed the Metropolitan Public Safety Office to coordinate with the local units of Batangas and Cavite for assistance.

"(Disaster Risk Reduction Management Focal Michael Salalima) has placed the MMDA's disaster and emergency groups including trucks and medical teams on standby alert for possible dispatch," said the MMDA.

In a separate video, Manila City Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso said he had activated and placed Manila's evacuation centers on alert.

"A few minutes ago, I asked Chief of Staff Cesar Chavez to activate our evacuation center. In-activate ko na rin po ang NDRRMO," he said.

— Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News