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

DATE : 24 February 2011, 800 AM Source: DOST-PHIVOLCS, OCD Region V and local agencies in Region V

I. SITUATION OVERVIEW Seven (7) volcanic earthquakes were recorded by Bulusan Volcano (12°46.2’N, 124°03’E) seismic network during the past 24 hours. Weak steaming activity drifting to the southwest direction was observed yesterday 23 Feb 2011 from the southeast vents. 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 Irosin - 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. The 109 families who evacuated to Gallanosa National High School already decamped at 3:30 PM, 23 February 2011 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

• The Municipality of San Jacinto, Province was hardly hit by ashfalls

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

 Casualty MDRRMC Bulan reported that a two years old boy, identified as Michael Celso from Zone 5, Bulan, died due to acute bronchial 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 and 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 sectors • The Integrated Rural Development Foundation, Irosin Chapter sponsored the snacks of evacuees 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 • RD OCD 5, PHIVOLCS, PN, PAF TOG5 and media conducted aerial survey and inspection over Bulusan Volcano. Findings of the survey revealed the following:  The areas mostly affected in terms of the volume of ash deposits were barangays in Irosin, Bulan, Juban and Magallanes  The ash traces along the slope of Bulusan Volcano showed narrow path and concentrated mostly in the town of Irosin  The ashfalls went farther to the Southwest blanketing some barangays of Bulan and even crossed the sea and affected the Island of Ticao and the mainland province  The observation of the summit area after the eruption is vital for future analysis of what to expect if there would be bigger explosions • OCD 5 provided 6,000 pcs dust masks to the Municipal Mayor of Irosin

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 • DSWD FO-5 has sufficient standby funds of PhP247,313.24 and sufficient stockpile of relief commodities composed of family packs (1,579), food (Php404.618.75) and non-food (Php583,462.00) ready for augmentation assistance

2 • DSWD 5 provided “pabaon” to the 109 families evacuees from Gallanosa High School who went home on 23 Feb 2011. The pabaon consisted of kitchen utensils and family food packs

Department of Health (DOH) • HEMS Sorsogon delivered facemasks to LGUs of Irosin and Bulan • DOH 5 conducted inspection in affected areas, prepositioned medicines and medical supplies; mobilized PHT-PHO Sorsogon Team; and provided medicines to Irosin District Hospital and LGU Bulan • RHU conducted medical consultation in affected barangays of Irosin with 39 cases provided with medical assistance: 12 acute respiratory infection; 5 fever;2 hypertension; 3 dizziness; 7 asthma; 3 toothache; and 5 headache

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 at CGS Sorsogon; 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 for dispatch and mission ready

Philippine National Police (PNP) • MPS Irosin and PPO Sorsogon proceeded to the affected barangays in Irosin for possible search and rescue operation • All units/stations of PPO Sorsogon are continuously monitoring the situation ready to respond to any eventualities • Elements of SPPSC and PPO Sorsogon led by PSINSP Salvador Retuerma were dispatched to Irosin, Sorsogon and 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 assisted in the evacuation of villagers in Irosin • The 91D Philippine Army (PA) assisted in the evacuation of residents in Juban and Bulan utilizing M35 trucks • The 49 IB PA personnel evacuated families from Brgy Puting Sapa, Juban to Gallanosa National High School

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 24/7. 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

PCSO-STL • Served snacks to the evacuees and distributed kitchen utensils and food packs per family

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