MANILA, Philippines – Netizens have rallied behind Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) after government officials criticized the agency for its supposed lapses in issuing timely warnings on the Taal Volcano eruption.
Netizens took to social media to shield Phivolcs from criticism after Cavite 4th District Representative Elpidio Barzaga Jr called for a House investigation into how Phivolcs supposedly failed to issue proper warnings on the eruption of Taal Volcano.
Special Envoy of Public Diplomacy to China Ramon Tulfo echoed Barzaga and even suggested in a tweet that Phivolcs offficials should be "executed" for failing to do their jobs.
Goddamn Phivocvoc! There was no warning about the eruption of Taal Volcano! If I were to have my way, I would have all the Phivocs people executed!
— Ramon Tulfo (@RamonTulfoII) January 12, 2020
Difficult work
Others, however, disagreed with the officials and rallied behind Phivolcs, citing the difficulty in predicting volcanic eruptions. (READ: Malacañang defends Phivolcs amid criticism over Taal eruption warnings)
Philip Jamilla of rights group Karapatan dismissed Barzaga's bid to investigate Phivolcs as grandstanding, and cited the complex process behind volcanic activity monitoring which should not be underestimated by those who are not familiar with it.
“Eruptions are rarely predictable – if not unpredictable – and Phivolcs can only issue warnings based on current seismic activity. Government agencies at this point should focus on relief and rescue operations and preparing for the hazardous eruption being warned by Phivolcs,” Jamilla said in a tweet.
Can't wrap my head around this mema resolution. Predicting eruptions isn't as easy as weather forecasts especially when the tasked agencies lack government funding, but they have been constantly posting alerts.
Now, where's the House resolution for the cuts in the calamity fund? https://t.co/UmKbEUAy77
Eruptions are rarely predictable—if not unpredictable—and Phivolcs can only issue warnings based on current seismic activity. Government agencies at this point should focus on relief and rescue operations and preparing for the hazardous eruption being warned by Phivolcs.
Joseph Christian Datinguinoo said on Facebook, “Stupidity is blaming a scientific institution for failure in doing the impossible: predicting volcanic eruptions.”
We must defend PHIVOLCS from a bunch of congressmen who think they can probe agencies for "not being competent enough to deliver" when they're not even as competent to do their own job.
— Albert Stalin (@astgarrido) January 15, 2020
Scientists hard at work
Derik Cumagun said experts were still the best resource persons in times of natural disasters. “Now is a really good time to listen to the experts. Not to pseudo-scientists trying to capitalize on the calamity just so their blogs could rake in more likes,” he said.
Raffy Magno thanked Phivolcs workers for their dedication in their job.
“Hanggang ngayon, ilang araw na 'yan walang mga tulog, pero nakakausap nang maayos, malumanay. Marami akong tanong kanina at makulit na para sigurado akong naintindihan ko lahat, dis-oras ng gabi, pero kalmado at maayos ang pagkaka-explain,” Magno shared.
(Until now, they haven’t been getting enough sleep the past days but they can still communicate well, calmly. I had many questions and I wanted to make sure that I understand what’s happening but they still managed to explain everything calmly and properly.
Netizens also cited the importance of Phivolcs during times of disasters.
Ramon Tulfo should be ashamed of himself. A stupid pseudo scientist who is trying g to capitalize on the calamity. #defendphivolcs#TaalEruption2020#phivolcs
— The Duchess of Nothing (@DuchessNothing) January 16, 2020
I am strongly against the call for investigation na sinusulong ng congress against PHIVOLCS. Kasagsagan ng eruption ididistract niyo sila?
— Ralph Abainza (@AbainzaRalph) January 14, 2020
We're facing an imminent explosive eruption and the least we can do is to support them and follow what they're saying.
What does Phivolcs actually do?
Phivolcs, which is under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), is responsible for posting volcano bulletins, earthquake information, and tsunami advisories and warnings to alert affected areas on how should they respond.
As early as March 28, 2019, Phivolcs issued a news bulletin putting Taal Volcano under Alert Level 1, meaning no hazardous eruption was imminent.
On December 1, 2019, the agency maintained Taal Volcano under Alert Level 1 after recording a high number of tremors pointing to a possible hazardous eruption, though not imminent. (READ: Taal Volcano's 2020 eruption: What we know so far)
Phivolcs raised Alert Level 2 on Taal Volcano at 2:30 pm on Sunday, January 12; Level 3 at 4 pm; and Level 4 at 7:30 pm. At this level, Phivolcs recommended evacuation and prevent reentry within the 14-kilometer permanent danger zone. (READ: FAST FACTS: Taal Volcano alert levels)
Phivolcs officials said they were surprised by how quick the Taal Volcano activity unfolded. This gave local government units less time to evacuate residents within the danger zone.
Experts noted that there is a high degree of unpredictability when it comes to complex volcanic processes.
Phivolcs also shared an infographic of its monitoring findings on 3 active volcanoes: Taal Volcano in Batangas, Mayon Volcano in Albay, and Bulusan Volcano in Sorsogon on Tuesday, January 14.
“Para sa inyong kaalaman, ang DOST-PHIVOLCS ay nagbabantay 24 oras sa mga aktibong bulkan sa bansa,” Phivolcs said in their caption.
(For your information, Phivolcs monitors the active volcanoes in the country for 24 hours.)
Was there anything that Phivolcs and the concerned LGUs could have done to respond better to the Taal Volcano eruption? Drop them down in the comments section! – Rappler.com