The famous Taal Volcano located about 100 kilometers south of the capital city of Manila was listed as a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) and settlement on the island was not recommended. However, Taal Volcano became a tourist attraction and many infrastructures were built to accommodate the increasing number of visitors in the area. For 43 years, Taal Volcano has been quiet and showed no signs of activity even though it was listed as one of the most active volcanoes in the Philippines with thirty-three (33) reported eruptions and six of the thirty-three recorded eruptions of Taal Volcano since 1572 resulted in fatalities. Despite this, many families still reside within the volcano’s 20km danger radius.
Volcano eruptions can be devastating for the communities living around them. Families need to evacuate their homes and leave everything behind just to be safe from the disastrous event that could take away everything that they have established throughout the years. Taal’s first most recent signs of activity became evident on January 20, 2022, escalating its alert level to number four (4). Ashfalls and volcanic thunderstorms were reported and forced evacuations were made to keep the locals and tourists safe. The eruption spewed ashes to some parts of Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and Pangasinan which resulted in flights and work schedules being cancelled and compromised. Classes were also cancelled to keep the children safe and for them to stay under the care of their own families in case a stronger eruption occurs.
This alarming situation caused massive panic throughout the country but AMWSLAI did not waste any time. They quickly responded to the immediate needs of the Taal victims and conducted a relief operation shortly after the first eruption. One hundred packs of relief goods containing a family’s basic necessities such as food, extra clothing, and medicine were distributed to one hundred families at Barangay Buso-Buso and Gulod in Laurel, Batangas.
The Taal Relief Operation Project was spearheaded by AMWSLAI’s very compassionate HR head, Ms. Alma H. Baliong, and was completed with the help of her whole HR team namely Ms. Karen Hernandez, Ms. Monique Sanchez, Ms. Sheena Cedullo, and some volunteers from the institution. The first week after a volcano’s first explosion is one of the riskiest times in a Volcanic eruption but AMWSLAI’s care and compassion for the Filipino people are beyond compare. They may be mandated to only cater to AFP and PNP personnel in terms of loans and savings, but their heart is with the whole country. They are always ready to lend a helping hand not only to police men and soldiers but also to the nation that these uniformed men protect. AMWSLAI will always live by their mantra “Matatag, Maaasahan, Sandigan” and “Bayaning Pilipino, Bayaning Serbisyo”.
