NDRRMC: 1,375 people evacuated near Taal

At least 233 families or 1,375 people have been evacuated from six villages in four towns in Batangas facing possible threat from Taal Volcano’s activity. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) also said that of those evacuated, 13 families or 54 people are staying in two evacuation centers. In its update posted on its website Sunday, the NDRRMC said the 1,321 evacuees are:

• 1 family or 2 people from Talisay (Pulo Island);
• 190 families or 1,209 people from Brgy. Alas-as in San Nicolas;
• 30 families or 95 people from Balete town; and
• 17 people from Mataas na Kahoy town.

Of those from San Nicolas, 12 families or 52 people are staying on the second floor of the San Nicolas Public Market. In Malacañang, meanwhile, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the government continues to take steps to ensure zero casualties should Taal Volcano erupt. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology had raised the alert level at Taal to “2," meaning an eruption is possible. “Hindi natin gugustuhin magkaroon ng di magandang pangyayari. Ngayon preemptive measures ang ginagawa natin doon," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. — LBG, GMA News