REPUBLIC OF THE

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Center, Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Philippines

NDRRMC UPDATE Progress Report re Volcano Activity

Releasing Officer

USEC BENITO T RAMOS Executive Director, NDRRMC and Administrator, OCD DATE : 23 February 2011, 12:00 NN Source: DOST-PHIVOLCS, OCD Region V and local agencies in Region V

I. SITUATION OVERVIEW

Bulusan Volcano (12°46.2’N, 124°03’E) seismic netwo rk recorded one (1) volcanic earthquake during the past 24 hours. Steaming activity from the crater and known thermal vents was not observed due to thick clouds that covered the upper slope of the volcano during the past observation period. No other significant volcanic activity was observed since the 21 February 2011 ash explosion.

Alert Level 1 remains hoisted over Bulusan Volcano which means that the source of activity is hydrothermal and shallow

• The public is strongly advised not to enter inside the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) as it may be affected by sudden steam and ash explosions.

• People residing near valleys and river/streams are also strongly advised to be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall.

• Due to the prevailing wind direction, residents located in the northwest and southwest sectors of the volcano are advised to take precautions against ashfalls.

• Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejected ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions may pose hazards to aircrafts.

Effects • Areas and Population Affected - 17 Brgys (San Pedro, Bagsangan, Tinampo, Cogon, Bolos, Gulang –Gulang, Monbon, Gabao, Bulawan, Tongdol, Gumapla, Batang, San Isidro, Casini, Salvacion, Buenavista and Macawayan). Estimated affected population is 6,462 families / 32,309 persons with 109 families / 448 persons evacuated to Gallanosa National High School Juban - 5 Brgys (Guruyan, Sipaya, Maala, Calmayon and Puting Sapa). Children and pregnant women from Brgy Puting Sapa who evacuated this morning have returned home this afternoon. A total of 62 families/307 persons evacuated to Cogon Elementary School Bulan - Estimated affected population in 59 barangays is 76,390 persons • There are no barangays affected in Bulusan since the ashfall was drifted to the Southwest direction

Telefax: NDRRMC Opcen (+632) 911-1406; 912-2665; 912-5668; NDCC Secretariat (+632) 912-0441; 912-5947; Office of the Administrator, OCD (+632) 912-2424 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ndcc.gov.ph • Road sections affected were Daang Maharlika and Gate-Bulan Airport Road but still passable

 Casualty MDRRMC Bulan reported that a two years old boy, identified as Michael Celso from Zone 5, Bulan, died due to asthma aggravated by ashfalls

II. ACTIONS TAKEN:

• NDRRMC Advisory on Bulusan Volcano Bulletin has been continuously disseminated to RDRRMC-OCD Region-5 through SMS, facsimile, website and NDRRMC Twitter account for further dissemination to their respective local DRRMCs from the provincial down to the municipal levels

Local DRRMCs • PDRRMO Sorsogon team conducted rapid assessment in the area and coordinated with concerned LGUs re updates on affected population • PDRRMC Sorsogon and MDRRMC Irosin put up a community kitchen and health center at Gallanosa High school ; continuously serving complete meals to the evacuees , distributed face masks and wet face towels • PDRRMC Sorsogon provided nebulizer, cough syrup and vitamins to the affected municipalities

LGUs • Congressman Deogracias Ramos Jr (2 nd District Sorsogon) allocated PhP1,700,000.00 for emergency assistance of the victims of lahar flows and ashfall, livelihood programs and mitigation projects in the following municipalities: Irosin (PhP650,000.00), Juban (PhP600,000.00) and Bulan (PhP450,000.00) • LGUs Bulan and Irosin are conducting assessment on agriculture and health • Integrated rural Development Foundation, Irosin Chapter sponsored the snacks on Feb 22, 2011

OCD V • RD OCD 5 has been continuously providing daily media interview re Bulusan updates • Coordinated with PDRRMC Sorsogon PHIVOLCS, MDRRMCs Bulusan, Juban and Irosin and local agencies for possible actions to be undertaken • Facilitated the request for PAF aircraft for use of PHIVOLCS/OCD 5 for the conduct of aerial survey and inspection in areas affected by ash explosion. A team of RD OCD 5, PHIVOLCS, PN and media is now conducting aerial survey over Bulusan Volcano • Provided 6,000 pcs dust masks to Irosin as per request of Mayor Ong

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) • DSWD FO-5 prepositioned 340 family packs at PSWD Sorsogon for distribution upon request of LGUs, delivered 10,000 pieces of face/dust masks to the Sorsogon SWAD Team Office which were distributed in Irosin yesterday • DSWD FO-5 sub-alloted (Php250,000.00) for standby funds and sufficient stockpile of relief commodities composed of family packs (2,011), food (Php3,322,595.30) and non- food (Php16,274,184.73) ready for augmentation assistance

Department of Health (DOH) • HEMS Sorsogon delivered facemasks to Irosin and Bulan • RHU is conducting medical consultation • DOH 5 conducted inspection in affected areas, prepositioned medicines, and medical supplies and mobilized PHT-PHO Sorsogon Team

2 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) • PCG deployed Coast Guard District Bicol Disaster Response Team to CG Station Sorsogon to assist the PDRRMC Sorsogon • In terms of preparedness, seven (7) man team DRG and 1 multi cab are on standby at CGS Sorsogon ready for dispatch; floating assets (SARV-022); air assets: PCG Aircraft Islander and PCG HELO); Deployable Response Group: Four (4) teams on standby at HPCG; and Land Mobility Assets : PCG Bus, Coaster Bus and M-35 Trucks are on standby ready for dispatch and mission ready

Philippine National Police (PNP) • MPS Irosin and PPO Sorsogon were directed to proceed to the affected barangays for possible search and rescue operation • All units/stations in Sorsogon PPO are continuously monitoring the situation ready to respond to any eventualities • Elements of SPPSC, Sorsogon PPO led by PSINSP Salvador Retuerma were dispatched to Irosin, Sorsogon which assisted in the conduct of evacuation, provided security at the designated evacuation center and established an Advance Command Post at Brgy Gulang Gulang, Irosin, Sorsogon

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) • PA trucks are assisting in the evacuation of villagers affected by ashfalls • PA trucks are on standby at irosin • 91D PA utilized M35 trucks during the evacuation of affected residents in Juban and Bulan • 49 IB personnel evacuated families from Brgy Puting Sapa, Juban to Gallanosa National High School • AFPLC provided one aircraft for the conduct of

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) • DPWH-5 deployed roadside workers and maintenance crew with the following equipment such as: one (1) dump truck, two (2) service vehicles, one (1) pay loader and two (2) dump trucks and conducted clearing of carriageway; monitoring the status of affected roads; and manning of motorist assistance center. It also provided signages in affected road sections

Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) • BFP5 in coordination with local residents conducted ash clearing/flushing at the Maharlika Highway and roads utilizing the firetrucks

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