WHEREAS, on 12 January 2020, Taal Volcano spewed volcanic steam and ashes, causing the drifting and spread of volcanic particles over Tanauan and Talisay, Batangas; Tagaytay, Cavite; and Sta. Rosa, Laguna and of volcanic ashes across provinces, cities, and municipalities in Luzon, including Dasmarinas, Bacoor, and Silang, Cavite; Malolos, San Jose del Monte, and Meycauayan, Bulacan; Antipolo, Rizal; and the cities of Muntinlupa, Las Pinas, Marikina, Parafiaque, Pasig, Mandaluyong, San Juan, Quezon, Manila, Makati, and Taguig in Metro Manila;

WHEREAS, the volcanic activity of Taal Volcano has caused widespread damage to properties and poses great risks and danger to the health and safety of the people living near the region around Taal Volcano;

WHEREAS, about 129,171 families or 483,389 persons in the Provinces of Batangas, Quezon, Laguna, and Cavite were affected by the Taal Volcano eruption;

WHEREAS, while the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) lowered Taal Volcano's alert status from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3 on 26 January 2020 and has since maintained said alert status, stream-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, ashfall, and lethal volcanic gas expulsions can still occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island and nearby lakeshores;

WHEREAS, as of 1:58 a.m. of 05 February 2020, a total of 2,070 volcanic earthquakes have been recorded in the regions surrounding Taal Volcano and the DOST-PHIVOLCS has strongly recommended that entry into the Taal Volcano Island as well as into areas over Taal Lake and communities west of the island within a seven (7)-km. radius from the main crater be strictly prohibited;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Republic Act No. 10121, or the "Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010," the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council has recommended the declaration of a State of Calamity in Region IV-A;

WHEREAS, the declaration of State of Calamity will hasten the rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector, including any international humanitarian assistance, and will effectively control the prices of basic goods and commodities for the affected areas; and

WHEREAS, this declaration will, among others, afford the National Government, as well as local government units (LGUs), ample latitude to utilize appropriate funds for the rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation of, and to continue to provide basic services for, affected populations, in accordance with law;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution and existing laws, do hereby declare a State of Calamity in Region IV-A (CALABARZON).

All departments and other concerned government agencies are hereby directed to implement and execute rescue, recovery, relief, and rehabilitation work in accordance with pertinent operational plans and directives.

All departments and other concerned government agencies are also hereby directed to coordinate with, and provide or augment the basic services and facilities of, affected LGUs.

Law enforcement agencies, with the support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, are hereby directed to undertake all necessary measures to ensure peace and order in affected areas, as may be necessary.

The State of Calamity shall remain in force and effect for one (1) year unless sooner lifted in accordance with law.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Republic of the Philippines to be affixed.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 21 st day of February in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Twenty.

(SGD.) RODRIGO ROA DUTERTE

By the President:

(SGD.) SALVADOR C. MEDIALDEA
Executive Secretary