READY. The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol activates on Friday (June 9, 2023) different teams in response to the ongoing activities of Mayon Volcano. Logistical capabilities of the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) such as trucks and other vehicles were readied to be utilized during the evacuation of residents. (Photo courtesy of PRO5)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol has activated different teams in response to the ongoing activities of Mayon Volcano.
Lt. Col. Malu Calubaquib, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5), said in an interview the PNP-Bicol ensures maximum deployment of all response teams to help residents in Mayon-affected towns.
"We already activated the Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) and Search and Rescue Teams who shall be first to be deployed. We also activated a Critical Incident Monitoring Action Team (CIMAT) that will be used to monitor and generate situational reports on the current condition of Mayon Volcano as essential steps in ensuring the safety of the Albayanos," Calubaquib said.
She also said logistical capabilities such as trucks and other vehicles were readied to be utilized during the evacuation.
Lateral coordination is also being undertaken with the Office of the Civil Defense and Albay Provincial Public Safety and Emergency Management Office.
Meanwhile, the Albay Provincial Health Office (PHO) reminded the public anew to keep their noses and mouths covered by wearing a mask to avoid asthma triggers and other respiratory diseases due to ashfall.
Dr. Estela B. Zenit, acting head of Albay PHO, said precautionary measures must be observed to avoid diseases.
"If not needed, do not go out, particularly children, senior citizens and adults with respiratory problems. We need to keep calm, and always use masks when going out," she said in an interview.
Zenit said as anticipation of any eventualities particularly on the ongoing evacuation, Albay PHO is now on code Blue from code White.
"Code blue is a response level alert for 50 percent agency resource mobilization. This means that teams have been mobilized to augment existing regular day-to-day resources. Logistics are mobilized to affected areas or to treat patients," Zenit said.
She said all municipal, district hospitals, provincial, rural and city health units and offices and Albay Provincial Health and Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) personnel are directed to be vigilant. (PNA)
