Taal-affected locals should head for, remain at evacuation centers –PHIVOLCS

Director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Undersecretary Renato Solidum Jr. on Friday appealed to residents affected by Taal Volcano's eruption to reconsider their decision to prematurely return home.

At the Laging Handa public briefing, Solidum warned that Taal was very active and the situation may worsen amid reports of some residents refusing to leave their homes or refusing to stay at evacuation centers.

“Mahalaga din na maging safe ang ating mga kababayan pagdating sa mga volcanic hazard na puwedeng mangyari kung sakaling tumindi pa ang sitwasyon ng Taal Volcano,” he said.

(The residents must be safe when it comes to volcanic hazards which can happen in case the situation at Taal Volcano worsens.)

“Ito ay marapat na kanilang pag-isipang mabuti kasi ang mga pagsabog ng Taal—maliit lang kahapon—kung sakali ay puwede pa pong maapektuhan ang mag malayong lugar. Nandyan pa rin ang banta,” he added.

(They should think about it because the explosions in Taal—weak yesterday—could still affect distant areas. There is still a threat.)

Based on the advice of PHIVOLCS, residents of barangays Gulod, Buso Buso, and Lakeshore Bugaan East in Laurel; and Banyaga and Bilibinwang in Agoncillo should evacuate their homes.

A total of 1,499 people or 344 families are staying in evacuation centers on Friday after Taal Volcano erupted on Thursday, the Batangas Provincial Police Office said.

Among the 13 barangays affected by Taal’s explosion were Gulod, Buso Buso, Bugaan West, and Bugaan East in Laurel; Subic Ilaya, Banyaga, and Bilibinwang in Agoncillo; Poblacion and Sinturisan in San Nicolas; Apacay in Taal; Luyos and Boot in Tanauan City; and San Sebastian in Balete.

On Thursday afternoon, a short phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at Taal's main crater and generated a dark grayish plume that rose 1,000 meters, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

It was followed by four short phreatomagmatic bursts at 6:26 p.m., 7:21 p.m., 7:41 p.m., and 8:20 p.m. that lasted no longer than two minutes, producing plumes of up to 200 meters above the main crater lake.

As of Friday morning, Alert Level 3 remained over Taal Volcano, which means magma extruding from the main crater could cause an explosive eruption. — DVM, GMA News