A total of 16,800 pieces of N-95 facemasks were provided by the Office of Civil Defense CALABARZON to the Provincial Government of Batangas to aid in the prevention of possible health hazards brought by the smog which is currently affecting some of the LGUs in the province.
Said distribution was supported by the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office which provided the transportation requirements to haul said items from the OCD Regional Office in the City of Sta. Rosa to Batangas Provincial DRRM Office in Batangas City held on 22 September 2023.
RDRRMC Chairperson and OCD Regional Director Carlos Eduardo E. Alvarez III immediately directs the provision of N-95 facemasks to further ensure the safety of communities along the Taal Volcano Island.
It has been noted that from 15 to 22 September 2023, the RDRRMC Emergency Operations Center had reported a total of 112 individuals from LGUs of Tanauan City, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, Agoncillo, Nasugbu and Tuy wherein said individuals experienced difficulty of breathing, chest pain and other symptoms due to volcanic smog inhalation.
Also, a total of 62 LGUs from the Provinces of Batangas, Cavite and Laguna declared suspension of classes, and some have shifted to modular distance learning mode.
The OCD-RDRRMC CALABARZON, reiterates, through RDRRMC Memorandum No. 134 that the Regional Emergency Operations Center is maintained at Blue Alert, thus, close coordination with concerned offices and local government units are expected to be continued to ensure the readiness of the council once the Taal Volcano situation escalates and augmentation from the RDRRMC is needed.