13/07/2021
Joint Task Group Taal ensures readiness of troops for disaster response
Laurel, Batangas – Preparing for the worst-case scenario on the possible eruption of the Taal Volcano, the AFP’s recently reactivated Joint Task Group Taal has launched a series of activities to ensure readiness and preparedness of its troops for prompt and sustained disaster response operations (DRO) and to assist the Local Government Units (LGUs) in Batangas that will be affected by the monitored volcanic activity.
The Joint Task Group Taal under the authority of the Office of Civil Defense, Region 4A is composed of Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) from the Philippine Army, Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG). Brigadier General Rommel K Tello PA, the Assistant Division Commander of the 2nd Infantry Division, is the current Commander of the JTG Taal.
As part of its preparation in enhancing the operational readiness, the JTG Taal has established its Joint Operations Center (JOC) at Fernando Airbase, Lipa City to responsively direct, monitor and supervise the deployment of AFP forces for disaster response. The reserve forces and other capabilities are also located in the JOC and other staging areas to support the Search, Rescue and Retrieval Operations where the AFP JTG Taal is the lead agency.
To ensure the readiness of the units for disaster response, BGen Tello also visited and inspected on the same day the preparedness of the CMO Quick Reaction Team (QRT) of the 2nd Civil-Military Operations Battalion (2CMOBn) and the Disaster Response Unit (DRU) of the 564th Engineering and Construction Battalion (564ECB) at Camp Macario Sakay, Lalakay, Los Banos, Laguna.
Two (2) wheel loaders, two (2) backhoes, one (1) bulldozer, One (1) prime mover, one (1) dump truck with operators are ready and on standby for deployment for clearing operations. The rest of the alerted teams were presented to JTG Taal leadership virtually.
A total of 38 Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) with 43 land assets and 7 sea assets were mobilized and currently on standby with the heightened alert due to the activity of Taal. Four (4) DRTs out of the 38 DRTs equipped with 11 land assets has already been deployed in the municipalities of Laurel and Talisay. The remaining 34 DRTs with 32 land assets and 7 water assets from the Philippine Army, Air Force and Coast Guard units are on standby at their respective headquarters and staging areas.
Likewise, the periphery of Taal Volcano was divided into four quadrants with detailed Quadrant Commander in control of deployed troops. These Quadrant Commanders are in-charge of coordination with the Local Government Units (LGUs) affected by Taal. The North quadrant covers the municipalities of Talisay, Laurel and Tanuan City, while the West quadrant covers the municipalities of Lemery, San Nicolas and Agoncillo. The East quadrant includes the municipalities of Malvar, Balete, Mataas na Kahoy and City of Lipa, while the municipalities of Taal, Sta. Teresita, Alitagtag and Cuenca are under the South Quadrant.
Manpower and transportation assistance have been also been provided by these response teams to the affected barangays. From the delivery and distribution of relief goods provided by DSWD, to setting-up of makeshift tents for the evacuees and conduct of checkpoints to augment local PNP in maintaining peace and order.
Meanwhile, the Army component of JTG Taal visited their civilian counterparts and stakeholders at the Local Government Units of Alitagtag, Sta Teresita and Taal, Batangas, while its Air Force component made a security and disaster-related coordination with the local PNP stations of Talisay, Laurel, Sta. Teresita, and Taal.
The JTG Taal also visited Hon Norberto A. Segunial Jr, the Municipal Mayor of Sta Teresita, Batangas, Mr Nerio Valencia, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer (MDRRMO) and Engr. Benjamin B. Benedicto JR, the Municipal Planning and Development Officer of the same municipality. While from Taal, Batangas is the Municipal Mayor, Hon Fulgencio I. Mercado, Ms Maria Rowena Almazan, Municipal Planning and Development Coordinator and Atty. Maria Carlota Cerdeña, the Municipal Administrator to hold discussions and learn from the experience gained by the disaster response units of said LGUs. They also shared their respective disaster risk reduction plans that could be enhanced in preparation for other similar calamities that may occur. Among these plans is the smooth integration of Disaster Response Teams (DRTs) from JTG Taal into local efforts and the procedures to follow and observe, preventing spread of COVID-19 from the Taal-affected areas to the evacuation centers.
“We have to maximize use of the available time to prepare ourselves, for the worst is yet to come, in order to achieve the objective of the people and government that is, “everyone’s safety”, BGen Tello said.
