BFP ordered to clear roads affected by Taal Volcano eruption

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday ordered the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to mobilize all resources in clearing roads affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

"In these trying times, we must unite as a nation and respond with urgency. I therefore direct the BFP to deploy all its firetrucks and assets and perform all needed actions to assist in the road clearing and cleaning of ashfall and volcanic debris in all affected provinces," Año said.

"Malaking bagay para sa mga bayang nasalanta ng pagsabog ng Bulkang Taal na kaagad malinis ang mga kalsada at mga sasakyang natambakan ng abo ng bulkan," he added.

According to Año, it is the BFP who has the firetrucks and water provisions which can help in clearing the roads from volcanic ash and debris, adding that if roads are cleared, relief operations for affected residents will be faster.

"Itong putik na ito ay nagiging malaking hadlang sa paglikas ng ating mga kababayan at sa paghahatid ng relief goods sa kanila," he said.

Año said a total of 531 fire personnel, 147 firetrucks, 39 emergency medical service personnel, and nine ambulances from BFP-CALABARZON have been deployed to the affected areas to assist in road clearing operations.

Meanwhile, he added that the Department of the Interior and Local Government continuously monitor if local chief executives are present in their respective areas and if they are assisting the affected residents.

"We will continue to monitor all LGUs and ensure that their needs are brought to the attention of the government gayundin ang pagtitiyak na ang mga mayor ay kumikilos para sa kanilang mga constituents," he said.   

Alert Level 4 is still raised over Taal Volcano as, according to PHIVOLCS, hazardous eruption is still possible.

Government forces continue to encourage residents within Taal's vicinity to temporarily evacuate the area for their own safety.

Taal Volcano’s activity last Sunday resulted in the cancellation of 603 domestic and international flights as well as suspension of classes and work in CALABARZON and nearby regions. —KBK, GMA News