Taal’s abnormal activity decreasing

MANILA, Philippines — Taal Volcano appears to be showing signs of decreasing activity, with only three earthquakes including one volcanic tremor lasting three minutes recorded over the past 24 hours.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said Taal’s current plumes or emissions could be described as “weak” at 900 meters high and drifting southwest.

As of yesterday, Alert Level 3 remained hoisted over Taal Volcano following a phreatomagmatic eruption on March 26.

The eruption forced thousands of families to seek refuge in evacuation centers.

Phivolcs said it is monitoring Taal’s volcanic activity to determine if the alert level could be downgraded to Level 2.

Under Alert Level 3, entry in Taal Volcano Island or the permanent danger zone and in high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel is prohibited.

All activities in Taal Lake like fishing as well as flying of aircraft close to the volcano are not allowed due to possible sudden explosive eruptions.

Phivolcs said 17 volcanic earthquakes including four volcanic tremors lasting one to two minutes were recorded from Saturday to Sunday.

Meanwhile, President Duterte yesterday inspected the Mataasnakahoy Evacuation Center located in one of the towns in Batangas affected by the Taal eruption in 2020.

The evacuation center, which was inaugurated on March 31, can accommodate about 150 families or 600 persons, according to Duterte.

“Bearing the lessons we have learned from the eruption in January 2020, I directed agencies to establish evacuation centers in affected local government units such as Lipa and Tanauan as well as the towns of Malvar, Laurel and Talisay,” Duterte said. “Now that we are experiencing challenges brought by the recent eruptions of Taal Volcano, I am confident that the evacuation center in Mataasnakahoy will be of great service to our affected kababayans.”

Duterte thanked agencies and people behind the construction of the evacuation center.

“It is during these times that the bayanihan spirit burns even brighter in the hearts of Filipinos. It is when we become heroes for one another, demonstrating the highest form of compassion for our people,” he added.

The Mataasnakahoy Evacuation Center was built through the Building Adequate, Livable, Affordable and Inclusive Filipino Communities or BALAI assistance program of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. – Alexis Romero, Arnell Ozaeta