By Jonathan L. Mayuga & Rene Acosta
VILLAGERS in some affected areas in Batangas began returning to their homes on Sunday after the provincial government removed the “lockdown” on 12 cities and towns following the downgrading of Taal Volcano’s Alert Level to 3.
The lockdown was imposed a couple of days ago after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Taal’s Alert Level to 4 following the volcano’s phreatic eruption on January 12, spewing ash and lava that forced the evacuation of thousands of residents.
In a bulletin issued by Batangas Gov. Hermilando Mandanas that was also disseminated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) through its spokesman Mark Timbal, the governor gave residents the “option” to return to their homes in the areas previously covered by the lockdown.
These areas are the cities and towns of Alitagtag, Balete, Cuenca, Lemery, Lipa City, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, San Nicolas, Santa Teresita, Taal, Talisay and Tanauan.
The towns of Agoncillo and Laurel remained on lockdown while Volcano Island was put on a “permanent lockdown.”
“The Alert Level has been lowered from Level 4 to Level 3, residents of all towns under lockdown, except Agoncillo and Laurel, now have the option to return their respective residences/ place of work,” Mandanas said.
“Being still in Level 3, it is strongly recommended that the following be seriously considered in exercising your option—that it is possible that the Taal Volcano may still erupt, and therefore all returning residents must be constantly alert and vigilantly ready to evacuate within one hour should the Alert Level be again raised to Level 4,” the governor said among others.
Phivolcs advisory
In its Volcano Bulletin for Taal issued at 8 a.m. on January 26, Phivolcs said Taal Volcano’s condition in the two weeks following the phreatomagmatic eruption or main eruptive phase on January 12 and 13 has generally declined to less frequent volcanic earthquake activity accelerated ground deformation of the Taal Caldera and Taal Volcano Island edifices and weak steam or gas emissions at the main rater.
As such, Phivolcs downgraded Taal Volcano’s alert status from Alert Level 4 or imminent hazardous eruption to Alert Level 3, or decreased tendency toward hazardous eruption.
Phivolcs’ observation based on satellite images noted “net inflation” or less swelling of the landmass.
At a press conference, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary and Phivolcs Director Renato Solidum said this does not mean that those evacuated from high-risk areas within the 14-kilometer radius from the main crater of the volcano, particularly the Taal Volcano Island, should be allowed to return just yet.
He said concerned local government units (LGUs) should also weigh their option depending on the level of threats. “There is still a lingering threat as the volcano may still suddenly erupt,” he said.
“The lowering of the alert status, however, doesn’t mean that the activity or the danger of hazardous eruption is gone. It’s still there but the chances of hazardous explosive eruption is lesser,” he said.
According to Phivolcs, if the parameters which Phivolcs use to downgrade or upgrade the alert status of a volcano changes, the agency will immediately inform the public, be it increasing the alert level back to Alert Level 4, or further downgrading the alert status to Alert Level 2.
“We are advising those around the lake to be cautious, especially those near in areas where fissures were observed or those near rivers and streams because rain could trigger lahar flow,” he further added.
NDRRMC Executive Director Ricardo Jalad said the areas mentioned by Mandanas are located outside the volcano’s 7-km danger zone.
“Those who can return [to their residence] are those outside of the 7-km danger zone, except some barangays in Laurel and Agoncillo that incurred severe damage, have fissures, or have houses that were destroyed,” Jalad said.
“Last night, our PNP, the AFP, Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fire Protection assessed the extent of damage and they will continue the assessment in order to determine who could return to their homes, but then again, they were seeing that all those living outside the 7-km danger zone can return,” he added.
Image credits: Office of Civil Defense via AP