On January 12, Taal Volcano disturbed what seemed to be a usual Sunday to Batangueños who live on the Taal Volcano island and around Lake Taal. On that same day, thousands of families fled from the threat of the erupting volcano.
As the Alert Level increased in each passing day, a total lockdown was implemented in the municipalities of Mataas na Kahoy, Balete, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Laurel, Lemery and Talisay. All residents in high risk areas were forced to evacuate to schools which served as evacuation centers and temporary shelters provided by the government. Other families opted to stay with their relatives who were not affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano. Living in evacuation centers although temporary is hard especially for children and old people. Immediate relief to the affected communities continued to pour demonstrating the Filipino spirit of ‘bayanihan’ or helping each other in time of need.
PUSOD Inc. conducted needs assessment in several evacuation centers and shared the information to private organizations, academe and individuals. PUSOD, through its Project Officer, Jord Earving Gadingan, facilitated the relief delivery operations of individuals and groups who responded to the emergency appeal of PUSOD.
On January 17, 2020, the American Chamber of Commerce Foundation Philippines Inc. immediately donated food packs to 233 families from Brgy. Calawit who were evacuated to Inosluban Marawoy Integrated High School, Mataas na Kahoy National High School and Banaba East Gymnasium in Padre Garcia Batangas. TELUS Philippines provided 115 food and no-food relief packs to the affected families from Brgy. Alas-as, San Nicolas.
On January 17, 2020, the American Chamber of Commerce Foundation Philippines Inc. immediately donated food packs to 233 families from Brgy. Calawit who were evacuated to Inosluban Marawoy Integrated High School, Mataas na Kahoy National High School and Banaba East Gymnasium in Padre Garcia Batangas. TELUS Philippines provided 115 food and no-food relief packs to the affected families from Brgy. Alas-as, San Nicolas.
In their earnestness to help, the UP College of Social Work and Community Development traveled at midnight to deliver 100 food packs, hygiene kits, sleeping mats and blankets to the evacuees from Balete and Mataas na Kahoy. These are the communities that hosted them during their studies and research. UP CSWCD did not forget to look back now that these families were in need.
On January 26, 2020, the Alert Level of Taal Volcano Eruption was lowered from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3. This prompted several affected municipalities to lift the lockdown order. Except those living within the 7km radius danger zone the local governments gave the public the option to visit or return to their homes. On January 30, University of Sto. Tomas- College of Science distributed 100 relief packs to Calawit Tour guides and boatmen from the volcano island.
De La Salle College of St. Benilde also visited Jowivill Subdivision in Brgy. Makina, Balete and brought a total of 350 relief packs of food, hygiene kit, and school supplies. They also conducted psychosocial and medical missions. Ms. Rina Rosales and her friends donated 117 sleeping bags that were distributed to community partners in Brgy. Calawit and Brgy. Kinalaglagan. Mr. Roman Sanchez gave an additional 10 pieces of sleeping bags which were given to the residents of Brgy. Bignay and Brgy. San Sebastian. The cash donation from Mr. Alfredo Lazarte benefited 19 families. The cash grant was used to buy food and other kitchen items needed in the evacuation center.
The combined effort of PUSOD and its partners reached a total of 442 family beneficiaries. Other cash
donations received will be used in the rehabilitation program.
On February 14, PHIVOLCS, released a bulletin for Taal Volcano Eruption, lowering the Alert Level from 3 to Alert Level 2. Despite the lowering of its status, affected communities still need our help. The needs assessment conducted by PUSOD for rehabilitation and recovery of disaster survivors shows that presently there are still families who are displaced and are now still living in tents. These families also lost their livelihood and have no source of income to provide for the needs of their families.
PUSOD will continue to help in the rehabilitation and recovery of Taal Lake communities. Help us so we
can continue to help them.
Table 1: Summary of Relief Assistance
| Donors | Nature of Assistance | Number of Items | Beneficiaries from Volcano Island, Balete and Mataas na Kahoy |
| American Chamber of Commerce Foundation |
Food (bread, canned goods, water) |
233 packs |
233 families (from Brgy. Calawit, evacuated to Inosluban, Marawoy Integrated High School, Mataasnakahoy National High School and Banaba East Gymnasium in Padre Garcia Batangas) |
| TELUS Philippines |
Food (biscuits, canned goods, rice, cup noodles, coffee, sugar) |
115 packs |
115 families (from Brgy Alas-as, San Nicolas, Brgy Nangkaan, Mataasnakahoy,and San Luis Evacuation Center ) |
| DLSU- College of St. Benilde |
Food (rice, canned goods, biscuits, mung beans, sugar, coffee) |
350 packs |
Repeat distribution (from Bgry. Calawit, Brgy. Sala, Brgy. San Sebastian,Brgy. Bignay and Brgy. Kinalaglagan) |
| UST- College of Sciences |
Food and Non-Food Items (water, biscuit, canned goods, slippers, rice) |
100 packs |
Repeat distribution (from Brgy Bignay, Brgy. Sala and Brgy. Calawit) |
| Alfredo Lazarte |
Cash Grant Php 2,000.00 |
Php 2,000.00 |
19 families (TAAL ComServe) (used to purchase food and non-food items) |
| UP Diliman – College of Social Work |
Non-Food Items (hygiene kits, sleeping mats, kitchen wares, blankets, towels) |
100 kits |
Repeat distribution (from Brgy. Calawit) |
| DLSU- College of St. Benilde |
Non-Food Items (Hygiene Kits, OTC Medicines and School Supplies) |
350 kits |
Repeat distribution (from Bgry. Calawit, Brgy. Sala, Brgy. San Sebastian,Brgy. Bignay and Brgy. Kinalaglagan) |
| TELUS Philippines |
Non-Food Items (hygiene kits, towels, laundry items and sleeping mats |
115 kits |
65 families
(plus 50 families repeat distribution)
(from Brgy Alas-as, San Nicolas, Brgy Nangkaan, Mataasnakahoy,and San Luis Evacuation Center ) |
| UST- College of Sciences |
Non-Food Items (hygiene kits, otc meds, slippers, towels, blankets |
100 kits |
Repeat distribution (from Brgy Bignay, Brgy. Sala and Brgy. Calawit) |
| Ms. Rina Rosales and Company |
Non-Food Items (sleeping bags) |
107 pieces |
Repeat distribution (from Brgy. Calawit, Brgy.San Sebastian of Balete, Brgy Bignay, Talisay o and Brgy. Kinalaglagan, Mataasnakahoy |
| Mr. Roman Sanchez |
Non-Food Items (sleeping bags) |
10 pieces | 10 Families (Brgy. Bignay, Talisay, Batangas) |
| DLSU- College of St. Benilde and UST- College of Sciences | Psycho-social Intervention | Brgy. Calawit relocated in Brgy, Makina, Balete, Batangas | |
| De La Salle Benilde | Medical Mission | Brgy,. Calawit and Brgy. Makina, Balete, Batangas |
