Volunteers sent by the Makati City government to communities affected by the Taal Volcano eruption have started feeding and giving necessary medical and health care to rescued animals trapped in danger zones.
The team from the Makati Veterinary Services Department was part of the city government’s 200-man relief operation contingent which served several barangays in Bauan, Batangas.
They also turned over dog and cat food, vitamins, antibiotics, and antiseptic solutions to the Batangas Provincial Veterinary Office.
Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay said aside from sending rescue and disaster response equipment, she also ordered on Sunday the deployment of personnel to help the local government units in the province rescue and treat the animals left abandoned by owners following the eruption.
“It is important to save our pets and other animals during disasters because they are also part of our families,” Binay said.
VSD chief Dr. Ma. Katherina Mangahas said the impounding vehicle has eight cages that can accommodate up to 24 medium-sized dogs.
Several netizens have shown concern for animals left near the Taal Volcano.
Photos and videos of animals, including horses and cows covered in ash, have circulated online, prompting animal rights groups and local government units to provide food and basic veterinary care for abandoned animals.
Mayor Binay earlier ordered the deployment of the city’s disaster response vehicles and equipment to Bauan to assist thousands of evacuees from localities affected.
She said the city’s Makati Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has designated a composite team to handle the transport of a super tanker, a chemical fire truck, two penetrator fire trucks, two advanced cardiac life support vehicles, a mobile clinic, a mobile shower and portalet, a vacuum tanker, two mobile kitchens, and 500 jerry cans to Bauan.
Some 1,000 blankets, pails, and dippers will also be sent as her personal donation to the victims.
Taal Volcano has been spewing ash since Jan. 12. As of press time, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said Alert Level 4 remains in effect, which means a hazardous eruption is possible within days or hours.
