Areas on lockdown amid Alert Level 3 over Taal Volcano

Two weeks after Taal Volcano first had a phreatic eruption on Jan. 12, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on Sunday downgraded the status from Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3.

Over 38,000 families have been staying in evacuation centers. With the lowered alert level, the Batangas government has given evacuees the option to return home in serious consideration of possible hazards.

PHIVOLCS set the danger zone area to places within a seven-kilometer radius from the volcano, still encompassing the towns of Agoncillo and Laurel.

Due to this, residents in the following areas are still not allowed to return home as ordered by the provincial government of Batangas, based on its Taal Volcano Eruption 2020 Bulletin No. 4:

Agoncillo

• Barangay Bilibinwang
• Barangay Subic Ilaya
• Barangay Banyaga

Laurel

• Barangay Gulod
• Barangay Buso-buso
• Barangay Bugaan East

Meanwhile, these areas on Volcano Island are on permanent lockdown:

Talisay

• Sitio Tabla
• Barangay San Isidro

Balete

• Barangay Calawit

San Nicolas

• Barangay Alas-as
• Barangay Pulang Bato

—Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News