Taal Volcano Alert on Level 3: Utmost vigilance needed for disaster preparedness (Sabong News)
Author
Manila Bulletin
Date
MARCH 29 2022
Just when the country appears headed toward a return to pre-pandemic levels of business activity, another serious natural disaster disrupted an otherwise serene weekend. Taal Volcano erupted last Saturday and Sunday, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology (Phivolcs) to raise anew Alert Level 3.
According to Phivolvcs head Renato Solidum, Jr., the first eruption on Saturday, March 26, “was caused by the intrusion of magma in the shallow part of the crater and interaction with Taal Lake’s water.” The likely scenario under Alert Level 3 is described as follows: “Sustained increases in the levels of volcanic earthquakes, some may be perceptible. Occurrence of low-frequency earthquakes, volcanic tremor, rumbling sounds.
Forceful and voluminous steam and ash ejections. Sustained increases in sulfur dioxide emission rates, ground deformation and swelling of the edifice. Activity at the summit may involve dome growth and/or lava flow, resultant rockfall.”
Hence, Phivolcs “strongly recommended” the evacuation of those in Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga in Agoncillo town and Boso-boso, Gulod, and eastern Bugaan East in Laurel town, both in the province of Batangas due to the “possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami should stronger eruptions subsequently occur.”
Residents of the danger zone around Taal Volcano could still recall what transpired in 2020. The last eruption warranted a declaration of Alert Level 4 as it was more severe and lasted for two weeks, or until Jan. 26. Alert Level 3 was in force from Jan. 26 to March 19, or for nearly two months, before it was lowered to the least restrictive Alert Level 1.
By then, a regime of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) went into effect in the whole island of Luzon due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Phivolcs reminds the public that the entire Taal Volcano Island is a permanent danger zone, and entry into the island and high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel must be prohibited.
An additional cautionary note has also been issued: “Civil aviation authorities must advise pilots to avoid flying over Taal Volcano Island as airborne ash and ballistic fragments from sudden explosions and pyroclastic density currents such as base surges may pose hazards to aircraft,” Phivolcs said.
While the magnitude of the eruptions has been lower than the 2020 experience — and the current number of evacuees at around 9,000 is a small fraction of the nearly half a million displaced previously — appeals for assistance have been sounded. Donations of N95 face masks are being requested by the Lipa Archdiocesan Social Action Commission so that health and safety protocols could be enforced. It is also advised that assistance could be channeled through the Philippine Red Cross to ensure orderly distribution.
As the country is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire where the oceanic micro-plates in the Philippine Trench are in a constant state of flux, Taal Volcano’s latest activity serves as a timely cautionary note on the need for utmost vigilance and disaster preparedness.
