MANDALUYONG CITY, Philippines —- The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) is preparing to mobilize its volunteers and deploy its assets as it braces for the Taal Volcano eruption’s impact on the nearby population on late Wednesday afternoon, October 2. 

PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon convened an emergency meeting wherein he met with the service managers and department heads of the national headquarters, and the Batangas Chapter via virtual call to discuss the PRC’s plans of action. 

“We believe and follow in preparedness over panic. Right now, we are prepositioning our teams and assets to be ready on call should our assistance be required. Our local chapter is keeping us updated on the situation on the ground. It will be a long night for us, but rest assured, our eyes are on Batangas,” said Gordon. 

PRC Secretary General Dr. Gwen Pang also said that the chapters in neighbouring provinces have been alerted to help in potential rescue, response, and relief operations and augment Batangas chapter’s services. 

Among Batangas Chapter’s current assets are two ambulances, a water tanker, an onion tank, a hot meals van, a 6×6 truck, a rescue truck, and two rescue boats. They are also equipped with 400 basic personal protective equipment, and two water treatment units. The chapter’s branches in Lipa, Nasugbu, and Tanauan each also have their own ambulances.  

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), Taal Volcano is at Alert Level 1. Under this alert level, phreatic explosions may be expected, along with volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and unhealthy fumes.