Almost 1,000 families evacuated from areas near Taal Volcano —local officials

More than 900 families have so far been evacuated from some barangays in the municipalities of Agoncillo and Laurel in Batangas after Taal Volcano had phreatomagmatic bursts on Saturday, local officials said on Sunday.

In Agoncillo, 498 families or 1,767 individuals were evacuated, according to Batangas Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office head Joy Montalbo in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

Meanwhile, as of 5 a.m. Sunday, 479 families or 1,616 individuals were evacuated in Laurel, Jerwin Tambogon, public information officer of the Laurel Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, said in a separate interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

"As of 5:00 am, nasa 479 families o 1,616 individuals ang inilikas... Mayroon kaming outside evacuees na pumunta sa kanilang mga kaanak, 146 families ito o 429 individuals," Tambogon said. Six evacuation centers are open for evacuees, he added.

(As of 5 a.m., 479 families or 1,616 individuals evacuated. There are 146 families or 429 individuals who stayed with their relatives.)

Montalbo said the evacuees will be allowed to return to their homes once the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) lowers the alert level from 3 to 2.

PHIVOLCS on Saturday raised the alert status of Taal Volcano from Alert Level 2 (increasing unrest) to Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest).

This was after the main crater of Taal Volcano "generated a short-lived phreatomagmatic burst" at 7:22 a.m which was "followed by nearly continuous phreatomagmatic activity that generated plumes 1500 m accompanied by volcanic earthquake and infrasound signals," PHIVOLCS added.

Another phreatomagmatic eruption occurred at 8:59 a.m. Saturday, it said.

In its website, PHIVOLCS said Alert Level 3 means "magma is near or at the surface, and activity could lead to hazardous eruption in weeks. Danger zones may be expanded up to eight (8) kilometers from the active crater," PHIVOLCS said in its website.

On Sunday, two minor phreatomagmatic bursts were recorded before sunrise.

Montalbo said the health of evacuees is a priority. Health and safety protocols are being observed, such as social distancing and the wearing of face masks.

Food and non-food items have been prepared for the evacuees, she added.

"Natutugunan naman ang mga pangangailangan ng mga nasa evacuation center... Nasusunod naman ang health protocols sa mga evacuation center," Tambogon said.

(The needs of evacuees staying in evacuation centers are being met. The health protocols are being followed in evacuation centers.)

Nearest barangay

Meanwhile, in Barangay Banyaga in Agoncillo, considered the nearest barangay to the Taal Volcano main crater as it is six kilometers away, most of the 3,200 residents evacuated on Saturday, according to barangay chairman Ben Palicpic.

"Ang tao lahat naman ay nailikas, bata, matanda... May ilang kalalakihan na nagpaiwan para sa kanilang mga alagang hayop at isda," Palicpic said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(All the residents, both young and old, were evacuated, except for a few men who chose to stay to take care of their livestock and fish.)

READ: Some residents around Taal refuse to flee

Palicpic said the residents met with local officials on Saturday and they were given permission to check on their homes, livestock, and fishpens in the morning before going back to evacuation centers.

"Puwede naman silang sumilip sa umaga at bumalik sa evacuation center sa hapon," he said.

(They can check on them in the morning then go back to evacuation centers in the afternoon.)

Palicpic said that when Taal Volcano had a phreatomagmatic burst past 7 a.m. on Saturday, he was on his banca on the lake.

"Masakit sa mata, masakit sa balat. Medyo may mainit gawa ng chemical galing sa bulkan," he said.

(My eyes hurt and my skin was stung. It was hot due to the chemical from the volcano.)

The waters in Taal Lake also turned greenish, possibly due to the sulfur, Palicpic added.

The Department of Health on Saturday advised residents living around Taal Volcano to stay at home, avoid unnecessary trips out of the house, close doors and windows, and always wear a face mask, protective gear for the eyes, and coverings for the skin, as the volcano may emit sulfur dioxide or cause ashfall.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo on Sunday said some menfolk were allowed to go to Taal Lake on Saturday to check on their fishpens.

"Patuloy ang pagpapatrolya ng PCG sa paligid ng Taal," Balilo said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(The PCG continues to patrol areas around Taal Volcano.)

"Sa ngayon, kalmado na ang sitwasyon sa Bulkang Taal," he added.

(For now, the situation is calm.) —KG, GMA News