The barangay official near Taal Volcano calls for an additional supply of N95 masks in the face of the intensifying volcanic smog or vog in Batangas.
According to the captain of Barangay Maria Paz in Tanauan, Manuel Balba, residents can only use ordinary face masks for vog protection.
N95 masks are recommended to be used by Phivolcs to prevent vog inhalation.
“Kahapon ang ipinamahagi lang namin ay disposable, kausap ko ang aking treasurer nagpapakuha ako ng mga N95 na mask. Ang budget naman namin ay medyo kapos, Hindi naman ganoon kadali mag-release ng budget, sabi ko gawan ng paraan sa city health [office] para makapag-request,” said barangay chairman Manuel Balba.
Among the affected residents was Bartolomea Manintim.
“Naranasan po namin ang paninikip ng dibdib at sakit ng pagtagok sa lalamunan, nahihirapan po kami huminga tapos ang aming balat naiirita,” said Manintim.
According to the Batangas Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, they will buy an N95 mask, and some are ready to donate.
The Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is also studying the implementation of “selective evacuation” of residents affected by volcanic smog.
Residents affected by volcanic smog asks for n95 masks
“Ang coast guard nakaantabay din sa augmentation kung kakailanganin ng ililikas doon. Selective lang kung sino may mga health problems,” said Batangas PDRRMO Head Joselito Castro.
The Lipa Archdiocesan Social Media Action Commission has also launched a donation drive to collect N95 masks distributed to residents affected by volcanic smog.
Meanwhile, Philvolcs placed Taal Volcano under Alert Level 3 due to magmatic unrest, Thursday, July 1.
“This serves as notice for the raising of the alert status of Taal from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest). At 1516H (3:16 PM) PST, Taal Volcano Main Crater generated a short-lived dark phreatomagmatic plume 1 kilometer-high with no accompanying volcanic earthquake,” Philvocs said.
“In view of the above, DOST-PHIVOLCS is now raising the alert status of Taal from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 3,” it added.
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