Ash covers some of PHIVOLCS' instruments around Taal Volcano

The ash spewed by Taal Volcano affected some monitoring equipment of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Monday as a hazardous eruption remains imminent.

"Nasira ang ating mga instrumento sa pulo. We cannot communicate with them, so marami-rami 'yun. We're relying on Philippine Seismic Network for the detection of the earthquakes," Mariton Bornas, chief of Volcano Monitoring & Eruption Prediction Division of the PHIVOLCS, said in a press conference.

"Our engineers on the field are trying to revive the communication lang naman. Maabo kasi eh, natabunan 'yung mga instrumento. Pero kapag na-retrieve natin 'yung data, mas malalaman natin ano nangyayari pa," she added.

The engineers were equipped with backup instruments should any of the installed ones need replacement, Bornas said.

"Bitbit po nila lahat ng puwedeng posibleng ipalit na instrumento doon sa paligid ng caldera kasi ang problema lang naman po sa mga buhay [na instrument] pa doon sa paligid ng caldera—ng lawa na mas malaki—ay naabuhan po sila," she added.

Alert Level 4 remains over Taal Volcano after it spewed ash on Sunday and lava fountains early Monday morning. —KG, GMA News