The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has directed all public telecommunications entities near Taal Volcano and its surrounding areas to ensure minimal service interruption for customers affected by its recent volcanic activity.
In a memorandum signed by Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba, the NTC ordered the entities “to ensure that there are a sufficient number of technical and support personnel and standby generators with extra fuel, tools and spare equipment in the areas affected by the recent volcanic activity of Taal Volcano.”
As reported last March 26, 2022 by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), “Alert Level 3 (Magmatic Unrest) was raised over Taal Volcano at 8:00 AM today due to phreatomagmatic eruption of the Main Crater between 07:22 AM and 08:59 AM that generated up to 3,000 m-tall eruption plumes.”
On Thursday, the volcano produced three phreatomagmatic eruptions caused by the interaction of magma and water. Eruptions normally consist of multiple explosive events, with varying intervals.
The continued Alert Level 3 status of the area has prompted PHIVOLCS to recommend the evacuation from Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga in Agoncillo and Boso-Boso, Gulod and eastern Bugaan East in Laurel, Batangas due to the possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents.
In line with this, the NTC also tasked the telecommunications entities to preposition mobile cellsites in the affected areas, made ready for deployment anytime.
“Further, you are directed to deploy Libreng Tawag and Libreng Charging Stations in evacuation sites identified by the Provincial Government of Batangas,” the NTC memo continued.
The order also reminded telcos “to coordinate with the local government units and continue to observe strict health protocols to avoid transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).