A lawmaker has urged the House of Representatives to investigate the government’s alleged delayed warning on the Taal eruption.
Cavite 4th District Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr. said there were “no news bulletins or SMS alerts” from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and other government agencies about the heightened activity in Taal Volcano.
“Due to lack of information, in the afternoon of the same day, while Taal Volcano is already manifesting increased volcanic activity, people still traveled towards it, while those who were already near Taal Volcano were shocked to see the smoke spewing from it and had to immediately flee under the dangers of ashfall,” he said.
Barzaga filed House Resolution (HR) No. 643 on Monday (January 13) and was released to the media on Tuesday (January 14).
However, Phivolcs reiterated there was no delay in the warning on the Taal eruption
During a press conference, Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief, Mariton Bornas said, “Those on the island were already relaying to us their observations.”
“They were given advice in case they needed to evacuate,” she added.
Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said “there are 6,000 people on the island. Nobody was injured, no one died.”
“It’s amazing. We should thank God nothing happened,” he said.
Malacañang said it is within the powers of Congress if they will approve the resolution or not.
Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte previously said he is pleased with the performance of government agencies including the performance of Phivolcs Officer-in-Charge and Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum.
“I am really very pleased, very happy that all agencies are here on hand and trying their best to help the community,” he said.—AAC (with reports from Rosalie Coz)
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