1,686 people evacuated in Batangas due to Taal Volcano eruption —police

A total of 1,686 people or 380 families were evacuated out of their homes as of Saturday after Taal Volcano erupted on Thursday, the Police Regional Office IV-A (PRO4A) said.

In an update as of 7 a.m., July 3, the Calabarzon regional police office said the number of evacuees comprised of 1,273 individuals or 311 families in Laurel, 153 people or 42 families in Balete, 142 persons or 27 families in Agoncillo, and 118 individuals in Talisay.

The evacuees are staying in at least nine evacuation centers, six of which are in Laurel, two in Agoncillo, and one in Balete.

Meanwhile, evacuees from Talisay were transferred from Balai Isabel Quarantine Facility to Calamba Regional Government Center.

At least 64 search and rescue personnel have been deployed and 26 were stationed in evacuation centers.

The PRO4A said 143 personnel were also on standby as Reactionary Standby Support Force.

It added that 84 vehicles are deployable for law and order, 36 are deployable for search and rescue, and one for dead and missing.

“Regular patrolling is being conducted in Agoncillo and Laurel to ensure security and order in said affected areas,” PRO4A said.

“Regular MPHS (minimum public health standards) enforcement is being undertaken in evacuation center to prevent possible transmission of COVID-19 coordination with concerned LGUs and other government agencies,” it added.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Saturday maintained Alert Level 3 over Taal Volcano after recording 48 volcanic earthquakes since 5 a.m. Friday. 

In its daily bulletin, PHIVOLCS said it monitored high-level activities of the volcano including three phreatomagmatic eruptions since Friday morning.

PHIVOLCS reiterated that Taal Volcano Island should be kept off limits and entry to high-risk barangays namely Agoncillo and Laurel should be barred. —Ted Cordero/KG, GMA News