DOTr Mobilizes Sectors, Attached Agencies for Swift Action, Relief Ops in Taal Eruption

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) immediately mobilized its assets and attached agencies to maintain the safety of all affected transport operations as well as render needed aid and assistance to those hit by the eruption of Taal Volcano on Sunday.

Aviation Sector

Immediately following the eruption, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) worked closely to monitor and manage affected airport operations.

After receiving Initial reports about the eruption as early as 03:00 p.m. or just within the hour, the Manila Area Control Center (ACC) vectored traffic to avoid the vicinity of the volcano.

A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) was immediately issued which detailed the characteristics of the volcanic ash and the affected areas, which was continuously updated to reflect real-time developments.

The MIAA and the CAAP also announced the immediate suspension of flights in NAIA. Malasakit Help Desks were activated in NAIA and CAAP-operated airports, to ensure passenger convenience due to the suspension of flights to Manila.

Both the CAAP and the MIAA also began coordination with the various airline operators to make sure that their ground staff are ready to assist the affected passengers. Other flights were diverted to the Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

On Monday morning, clearing operations were carried out to remove ashfall at the NAIA’s runways, taxiways and ramps. NAIA resumed partial flight operations at 10 a.m. for departures and 12 noon for arrivals. As of Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, MIAA terminals are back to normal operations with ongoing recovery flights for those previously canceled following the Taal Volcano eruption.

According to MIAA, there were 283 arrival flights ad 233 departure flights that were affected by the Taal Volcano eruption from Jan. 12, 2020 to Jan, 13, 2020. There was also a total of 360 mounted flights recorded between Jan. 13, 2020 and Jan. 14, 2020.

Maritime Sector
In the maritime sector, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) were quick to coordinate efforts to render needed public assistance.

Shortly after the eruption, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), in coordination with MDRRMO-Talisay, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) assisted in transporting evacuees from affected barangays of San Nicolas, Talisay, Nasugbu, and Lemery, to their respected evacuation centers.

The Coast Guard District Southern Tagalog meanwhile deployed medical, K9, and Disaster Response teams. The PCG also activated TASK FORCE TAAL, which distributed boxes of N95 masks to the evacuation site in San Nicolas, Batangas, deployed medical teams, boom trucks and a PCG bus to assist in the evacuation of residents in Lemery, Batangas and San Nicolas, Batangas.

According to the PCG, approximately 300 families have been transferred from the evacuation center in Talisay going to a larger and safer evacuation center in Santo Tomas, Batangas on Monday midnight, Jan. 13, 2020.

Following the eruption, no vessel cancellations were made for Batangas with the PPA and MARINA in full alert should passengers seek sea voyage.

As of Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2020, the PPA has reported that ports near affected areas have resumed normal operations, despite minimal ashfall being experienced with low intensity tremors.

On Tuesday, MARINA activated its Maritime Crisis Management Committee (MCMC) to continuously monitor the situation in affected areas. Malasakit Help Desks were also placed in in seaports within the affected areas. The desks are manned by MARINA personnel in coordination with the PPA and PCG.

The MARINA also informed the public on the availability of sea voyage as alternative means of transport to and from Luzon in view of flight cancellations due to airborne ash and ballistic fragments.

Road Sector

For the DOTr’s road sector, the attached agencies and transport hubs also lent help to the affected residents.

During Sunday’s eruption, the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) waived overnight parking fees for stranded passengers going to and from the south of Metro Manila.

The PITX also offered free water and WiFi access to affected passengers/residents

On Monday, the Land Transportation Office-Philippines (LTO) Region 4A conducted “OPLAN RESCUE TAAL” to aid in the evacuation of affected residents. The LTO also deployed buses to assist in the evacuation of affected families. Law enforcers from the LTO Central Office also distributed bread, biscuits, and water to the affected residents.

In view of the suspension of government work in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), Metro Manila and in Region 3, imposed deadlines for all LTO transactions in the said areas were waived on 13 January 2020. Deadlines automatically were rescheduled for the next working day, 14 January 2020, and consequently, any fines/ penalties to be incurred were deemed waived.

On Monday, volunteers from the LTO-NCR West Regional Law Enforcement Unit evacuated families in Lemery, Batangas to Matabungkay Elementary School.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board – LTFRB (LTFRB) sent buses to evacuate families from Agoncillo, Lemery, Laurel, Talisay and Alitagtag towns in Batangas to evacuation centers. It also deployed P2P buses to Clark, Pampanga to ferry passengers of diverted flights in NAIA.

The LTFRB also sent buses to Lipa City NDRRMO to ferry evacuees in Lipa City. Meanwhile, seven buses were placed on standby at the LTFRB Regional Office IV for deployment.

To ensure road safety at the height of the ashfall, the tollway operators installed signages instructing vehicles to slow down due to low visibility, conducted cleaning operations of the expressways, specifically at the Santo Tomas and Calamba Toll Plazas, and waived toll fees of transport emergency rescue vehicles

Railways, LRT and MRT Sector

The railway sector maintained normal operations during Sunday’s eruption as there was no immediate threat to the rail networks.

On Monday, to ensure the safety of the LRT-2 system and the passengers, LRT 2 moved to shut off the air-conditioning systems in trains to prevent damage. Train windows of LRT-2 were also closed to avoid exposure of passengers to sulfur and ashfall.

Operations of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) were normal, with all operating personnel given N95 masks for their protection.

Following the ashfall, the PNR also cleaned all trains to prevent damage to the trains’ diesel engines. (DOTr PR)