MANILA, Philippines — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso  has ordered the  deployment  of  teams to conduct medical assistance, such as medical checks up and distribution of medicines,  to the affected victims in the province of Batangas and nearby provinces, who were victimized  by the eruption of Taal Volcano last Sunday.

Meanwhile, Moreno likewise ordered the  Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) teams to  again be deployed in municipalities nearby.

According to the Public Information Office of the Manila Government, these are municipalities in Cuenca, Bauan, Taal, Agoncillo, Lemery, Laurel, and Talisay.

PIO unit embedded

A small Manila PIO unit was embedded in the MDRRMO teams that were deployed to assist in evacuation efforts by municipal governments.

The medical teams, composed of those in the central office in Manila City Hall, as well as in the government hospitals of the six districts of Manila, were deployed.

Medicines were distributed and continued to be distributed to the victims who are now placed in the different evacuation centers of Batangas and other areas.

Medical teams of the Manila Health Department (MHD) were  deployed  in Sto. Tomas, Batangas on Wednesday and conducted initial medical check ups and medical assessment on  the  conditions of the patients, as well as the condition of the area, in order to know what future medical plans could be given help to the communities.

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday said more than P2 million worth of assistance was given to residents affected by the Taal Volcano eruption.

A total of P2,154,886.50 worth of aid was provided by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to affected families in CALABARZON, especially in Batangas and Cavite, the NDRRMC stated in its latest situation report.

The council said a total of 10,455 families or 44,065 individuals have been affected in Batangas and Cavite. Of that number, 9,508 families or 40,126 people are currently staying in 189 evacuation centers.

The NDRRMC further reported that as of January 14, all national road sections in CALABARZON were already passable.

Damage to agriculture

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture said the damage to agriculture caused by the volcanic activity was already at P577.39 million.

Alert Level 4 is still raised over Taal Volcano as its hazardous eruption is still possible, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

The  NDRRMC earlier called on residents near Taal Volcano to temporarily evacuate their residences to ensure their safety.

Taal Volcano’s phreatic eruption last Sunday resulted in class and work suspensions in CALABARZON and nearby areas.

Numerous domestic and international flights were also canceled. (STACY ANG/IAMIGO/Currentph.com)