Taal evacuees spend the night outdoors after magnitude 4.6 quake

Evacuees due to the Taal Volcano activity who sought shelter at the Bauan Technical High School in Bauan, Batangas spent Sunday night outdoors after a magnitude 4.6 earthquake hit the province before 9 p.m., according to a report by Darlene Cay on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday.

The quake's epicenter was located in Mabini, about 50 kilometers south of Taal Volcano.

The earthquake, which struck at 8:59 p.m., was felt at Intensity V in Bauan.

Evacuees, who have yet to recover from the Taal Volcano eruption and ashfall, ran out of the school as the ground shook, fearing for their lives.

They laid down their beddings on the ground at the open space in front of the school and tried to sleep.

The Bauan Technical High School is the biggest evacuation center in the town.

More than 3,000 evacuees are currently staying in the school.

The whole municipality is providing temporary shelter to more than 23,000 evacuees from nine towns affected by the Taal Volcano activity.

In their weeklong stay at the school since the volcano erupted, some evacuees were getting sick and were given medical attention.

Dr. Victor Bejer, municipal health officer, however said there has so far been no serious illness reported.

"Actually, ang health concern lang na nakita ko rito ay mga common diseases like colds and cough, and diarrhea, at siyempre nataas ang BP (blood pressure)," Bejer said.

Some residents meanwhile, left the town after the earthquake hit. —KG, GMA News