TAAL VOLCANO: Still at Level 4 Despite Weaker Eruption

Taal volcano has shown fewer activities yet Alert Level 4 is still in effect.

Ma. Antonia Bernas, the chief of Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division of Phivolcs, said that the chance for an eruption is still high even if the activities on the surface of the volcano has simmered down.

According to the recent report of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, over the past 24 hours, the volcano's activity is "continuous yet generally weaker". There were only 159 volcanic activities recorded, compared to 466 on Sunday.

However, there were around 17 new fissures discovered.

Taal volcano also retains its status due to "hazardous eruption that may occur within hours or days".

Phivolcs once again called for the people's cooperation, as some of them still refused to leave their homes even if it is located within the 14-kilometer radius from Taal's caldera.

Assistant Secretary Casiano Monilla of the Office of Civil Defense said that evacuation gets delayed because some people defy Phivolcs' order. Some of them only heed the advice once the situation worsens, he also added.

Philippine Coast Guard is patrolling the lake to warn fishermen. Chinese Coast Guard, who provided N95 masks and other necessities, also joined them.

State of Calamity

The province of Batangas has been under a state of calamity since Tuesday.

According to the local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, at least 30,000 individuals have fled ever since the eruption started. This resulted in the evacuations being overly crowded.

Some evacuees are appealing for basic necessities, including hygiene kits and extra clothes. Others are also asking for baby supplies.

At the situation briefing, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte apologized for not coming to Batangas immediately due to flight suspension. Then, he proceeded to appoint Cabinet officials, including Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, on handling the emergency response.

The Philippine chapter of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also conducted its mission to rescue animals stranded and abandoned on the island.

PETA Asia Campaigner Jana Sevilla called the government to include the pets on evacuation plans because they are "dependent on us".

Vice President Leni Robredo asked the vice governor of Batangas, Mark Leviste, to consider putting up an evacuation center for animals because some residents refused to leave their home because of the pets or the livestock they are taking care of.

The estimated loss from the damaged livestock and crops is at least half a billion pesos (around $10 million), according to the local Department of Agriculture. Most of these are in the coffee industry.

Apart from these, the DA also feared that the crisis greatly affects the fishing industry in the lake due to high sulfur content brought by the volcanic activity. At least 15,000 metric tons of Tawilis, an endangered fish that can only be found in Taal, is at risk.

Fake News

A rumor circulating online claims that Mt. Mayon, about 300 kilometer southeast of Manila, is on the verge of erupting. However, Phivolcs said that it is not true.

While it is true that Mayon has been on alert level 2 for nearly 2018, Phivolcs chief Renato Solidum said that the online reports are exaggerated it, resulting in more people panicking because of multiple volcanoes threatening Luzon.

Solidum asked the people to refrain from making such assumptions to prevent confusion.

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