Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday appealed to the public to stop spreading fake news with regards to the situation of the Taal Volcano.

In a press conference, Año said there are netizens who posted on social media about the lowering of alert level of the volcano and telling the evacuees to go home when it remains under Alert Level 4.

“There are official agencies tasked to make announcements like Philvocs (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology), the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council), that is only we were get a cue and follow,” he said.

He said it will be difficult for them if the evacuees will go back to their homes unnecessarily as the volcano is still very dangerous.

Año said the Taal Volcano is considered as one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.

“So now that we are on alert level, I enjoin with the people on the issuance of appropriate authorized agencies,” he said.

In his speech, Año urged the people to focus on helping those who are in need instead of politicking, bickering and sharing of fake news

He told the people in evacuation centers to cooperate with local authorities, practice discipline and help ensure that their temporary shelters are clean and orderly.

Based on their data, 98 percent of the residents in the barangays located within the 14-km high risk danger zone have been fully evacuated and the rest are undergoing evacuation.

Año said 100 percent of the 142 local chief executives in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and the National Capital Region are in their respective areas activating their disaster-preparedness measures.

He added the DILG is prepared to mobilize all resources and units to assist in search and rescue, peace and order, management of the missing, and early recovery efforts.

“We will work closely in support of the Response Clusters such as the Department of Health in the event of an explosive eruption of Taal Volcano,” he said.

“With disaster response mechanisms already in place, there is nothing to worry. We fear the worst to happen, but our collective efforts to support and help one another will enable us to withstand the crisis. The Bayanihan Spirit, or brotherhood, will triumph in the end,” Ano said. Ella Dionisio/DMS