Residents of 12 Batangas towns, cities may opt to go home –official

Residents of at least 12 towns and cities in Batangas province may choose to return to their areas after the lowering of the Taal Volcano status to Alert Level 3, Governor Hermilando Mandanas said Sunday.

"Considering the latest advisory of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) released today, January 26, that the alert level has been lowered from 4 to 3, residents of all towns under lockdown, except Agoncillo and Laurel, now have the option to return to their respective residences or place of work," Mandanas said in a press conference.

According to Mandanas, areas who are no longer on lockdown include the towns of Alitagtag, Balete, Cuenca, Lemery, Malvar, Mataas na Kahoy, San Nicolas, Santa Teresita, Taal, Talisay, and the cities of Tanuan, and Lipa.

"Yung mga lumikas mula dito na nagpuntahan sa evacuation centers at sa mga bahay-bahay na kumukupkop sa kanila hanggang ngayon, maaari na silang magpasiya kung sila ay uuwi o hindi," he said.

However, the Taal Volcano Island remains on permanent lockdown. This means that even though residents of Talisay and San Nicolas may already return to their homes, those who live on the island itself could not do so.

"[Naka]permanent lockdown ang volcano island. Ibig sabihin, kailanman hindi na pwedeng bumalik diyan. Sa ngayon, ni hindi ka pwedeng lumapit diyan," Mandanas pointed out.

"So huwag nang aasa. Yung mga taong naghahanapbuhay doon ay ililikas o nailikas na."

Moreover, he said that residents in towns and cities where the lockdown has been lifted may also choose to continue to stay in evacuation centers.

"Yung ating evacuation centers mananatiling bukas," he said, adding that a new one is set to open soon.

Mandanas assured residents that he will personally take responsibility of the relief operations in Batangas province.

Phivolcs on Sunday morning announced that it has downgraded the status of Taal Volcano to Alert Level 3, which means that there is "decreased tendency towards hazardous eruption" by the volcano.

It noted, however, that the lowering of the Taal's alert level status does not mean that the volcano's unrest has stopped or that a possible hazardous eruption has disappeared.

It recommended that entry into the Taal Volcano Island, Taal's Permanent Danger Zone, as well as in areas within the seven-kilometer radius from the main crater be prohibited. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News