Taal Volcano continues to generate volcanic earthquakes and white steam-laden plumes. Alert Level 4 remains up as there is still a possibility of an eruption. (PNA photo)
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said it has recorded six more volcanic earthquakes during the past 24 hours from 5 a.m. yesterday until 5 a.m. today, with magnitudes ranging from 1.5 to 3.4.
This brings the total volcanic earthquakes to seven hundred thirty-one (731) since the volcano erupted on January 12, 2020.
Phivolcs described the series of volcanic activities in the past 24 hours as exhibiting “weak to moderate emission of white steam-laden plumes 50 to 500 meters high from the main crater” and is said to be moving in the southwest direction.
One hundred seventy-six (176) of the 731 volcanic earthquakes recorded magnitudes of 1.2 to 4.1 and were felt at intensities I to V.
Alert level 4 signifies the possibility of hazardous explosive eruption within hours to days, especially affecting high-risk areas such as Taal Volcano Island and those within the 14-km radius from the Taal Main Crater and along the Pansipit River Valley.
Affected were a total of 316,989 persons or 81,067 families from the provinces of Batangas, Quezon, Laguna and Cavite.
Almost half of this number are still taking temporary shelter in 500 evacuation centers while some are being served outside of these centers.
Classes in 228 cities and municipalities have resumed as electricity has been restored since January 20.
Meanwhile, a rare and unprecedented, out-of-town plenary session of the House of Representatives was held at the Batangas Convention Center yesterday wherein the 204 House members in attendance passed two resolutions that facilitated the release of calamity funds, including the supplemental budget for emergency relief of affected communities for a total of P30-billion. (Jojo Mangahis)