DILG Bans Businesses Within Danger Zone Of Taal Volcano
DILG – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) recently warned businesses to stop operating within the danger zone of Taal Volcano.
According to Inquirer, the Interior Department, who cited the danger the volcano poses as it could explode any time, also ordered a halt to the daily visits by residents to their homes within the danger zone to feed their pets and livestock.
The department further issued a memorandum which bans any commercial activity within 14-kilometer radius danger zone as the volcano was still under Alert Level 4. This means hazardous explosive eruption is to be expected.
However, some hotels and restaurants in the city of Tagaytay reportedly resumed operations during the weekend since Taal appeared to be cooling down.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), although recorded a drop in sulfur dioxide emission and volcanic earthquakes, still said that hazardous explosive eruption is to be expected.
Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III said that they will check the reports regarding some businesses but noted that that agency already issued the same memorandum to the Tagaytay City government since the city is within the danger zone.
“If they defy the memorandum, again we will order the local chief executive to close them down, cancel their mayor’s permit, their operating permits,”
“There are barangays below that need total evacuation. Those in the higher places, in the high side, we told them to stop operations so that there won’t be any tourists or locals loitering,”
As per the report, the department issued the memo on Tuesday last week after reports came that one hotel, identified as Taal Vista Hotel, allegedly resumed operations despite other businesses in Tagaytay had halted their operations.
“We have to write the mayor telling her, directing her to close it down. If ever Taal Vista did not close down, we would send the [police] there to implement the closure,”
“There have been meetings and [the] businessmen are really feeling the pinch, we understand that. But safety first before profit”
Daily visits by residents to their homes within the danger zone was also banned.
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