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Batangas under state of calamity due to Taal Volcano unrest


The province of Batangas was placed under a state of calamity on Monday following the phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano over the weekend.

The declaration was announced through a special session by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, headed by Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste in view of the massive damage brought by the eruption of Taal Volcano last Sunday.

The declaration was also based on the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) chairperson, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandas, following the declaration of state of calamity by the municipalities of Balete and Agoncillo through Resolution 004-2020 and Resolution 01-2020, respectively.

As of 5 a.m., Leviste said 13,883 individuals and 2,534 families from the affected 14 cities and municipalities in Batangas have already been evacuated.

He added that areas in the general north of Taal were also advised to guard against the effects of heavy prolonged ashfall.

According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology's (PHIVOLCS) 8 a.m. bulletin, Taal Volcano remained under Alert Level 4 amid the continuing "period of intense unrest."

Alert Level 4 means a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/RSJ, GMA News

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