(UPDATE) – The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and its counterparts in the local level are closely monitoring the situation of Taal Volcano following the declaration of Alert Level 3 as a result of its “phreatomagmatic burst” on Saturday morning.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) had issued a notice raising the alert status of Taal from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest).
The NDRRMC held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation and government response in the affected areas following the eruption.
The chief of Phivolcs’ Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (VMEPD), Dr. Ma. Antonia Bornas, reported that at around 7 a.m. on Saturday, the Taal Volcano main crater generated a short-lived phreatomagmatic burst, followed by nearly continuous phreatomagmatic activity that generated plumes about 1,500 meters high and accompanied by volcanic earthquake and infrasound signals.
At the emergency , Calabarzon regional disaster chief Maria Theresa Escolano presented situation updates while the Department of the Interior and Local Government presented the preparedness actions of LGUs in accordance with the Operation Listo Manual for Taal Volcano Eruption.
Escolano reported that her office has been coordinating with the mayors of affected areas for situation updates, response actions such as evacuation of communities situated in Taal Volcano island and high-risk barangays and resource augmentation if the volcano unrest remains.
Phivolcs identified Barangays Bilibinwang and Banyaga of Agoncillo municipality and Barangays Boso-boso, Gulod and the eastern portion of Barangay Bugaan East of Laurel municipality as high-risk areas.
Evacuation ongoing
The NDRRMC said evacuation of communities is ongoing due to possible “pyroclastic density currents and volcanic seiches” should stronger eruptions subsequently occur.
As of 11 a.m., at least 160 families or 800 to 900 individuals in Agoncillo and 81 families or 222 individuals in Laurel have been evacuated.
Various government agencies and uniformed services are also implementing response actions to assist the affected communities.
Additional supplies of family food packs are being prepared by the provincial government and Department of Social Welfare and Development to augment relief activities of affected LGUs as well as vehicles to support the evacuation effort.
Residents in the affected areas have been advised to remain vigilant, take precautions and follow authorities’ warnings and advisories.
Volcano island off-limits
From Alert Level 2 or increasing unrest, Phivolcs said early Saturday that Taal is now under Alert Level 3 or magmatic unrest.
“This means that there is magmatic intrusion at the Main Crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions. Phivolcs strongly recommends Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga, Agoncillo and Boso-boso, Gulod and eastern Bugaan East, Laurel, Batangas Province be evacuated due to the possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should stronger eruptions subsequently occur,” it said
Phivolcs reminded the public that the entire Taal Volcano Island, considered a tourist spot, is a Permanent Danger Zone.
Phivolcs said entry into the island as well as high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel must be prohibited, now that “Taal” is demonstrating such activities.
“All activities on Taal Lake should not be allowed at this time. Communities around the Taal Lake shores are advised to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures against possible airborne ash and vog and calmly prepare for possible evacuation should unrest intensify,” Phivolcs said.
Meanwhile, civil aviation authorities were asked to advise private airlines that flying over Taal Volcano Island should be avoided, as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges may pose hazards to aircraft.
Taal volcano last erupted in January 2020. Until now, some of the communities who scampered for safety are still living in evacuation sites far from the volcano’s high-risk areas.