THE Batangas Police Provincial Office (BPPO) under the leadership of Provincial Director Police Colonel Samson B. Belmonte continues to monitor the situation of the Taal Volcano.

This despite a report by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Saturday that the volcanic smog above Taal Volcano has cleared.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said it’s clear now in Taal unlike the low visibility on Friday.

He said Taal Volcano is now visible from Batangas, adding basically there is no vog already.

On September 21, the volcano released thick volcanic smog (vog).

Alert level 1 remains over Taal Volcano as authorities still prohibit entry into the Taal Volcano Island, especially in the Main Crater and Daang Kastila Fissures.

Lawmen from the different police stations in the vicinity of the volcano have intensified patrolling the boundaries under their jurisdiction to ensure that no one can sneak through Taal Lake to the Volcano Island itself which is called a “No Man’s Land.”

Some 288 schools throughout the province earlier suspended classes to ensure the safety of the students from volcanic smog.

Belmonte said assigned members of the police force from the 14 police stations surrounding the volcano are on standby as Search, Rescue, and Retrieval Team is ready to respond in case someone needs to be evacuated.

Search and rescue equipment is also on standby, he said.

“Let’s all be always on alert and be careful about the activity of Taal Volcano. Let’s listen and follow the warnings of the local authorities,” added Belmonte.

The AnaKalusugan Party-list has istributed face mask in several communities in Batangas affected by volcanic smog.

AnaKalusugan Party-list Rep. Ray T. Reyes led the face mask donation operations in the towns of Nasugbu, Tuy, and Balayan.

“Anakalusugan’s advocacy has always been centered around bringing healthcare closer to the people. Apart from our regular medical and dental missions, we make it a point to always help affected residents whenever health emergencies arise,” Reyes said.

Reyes also appealed to the Department of Health (DOH) to distribute N95 face masks and other protective equipment to LGUs and affected communities as a precaution to future vog incidence.

“Let us be proactive. Kahit na humupa na kahit papaano ang vog sa paligid ng bulkan, kailangan po natin maging handa lalo na’t nasa Alert Level 1 pa rin ang Taal,” the lawmaker said.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) , vog from Taal volcano had already cleared, thanks to the recent rains and thunderstorms.

However, Bacolcol raised the likelihood of vog recurrence as Taal Volcano continues to spew sulfur dioxide emissions, with plumes reaching 1,800 meters high.

Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, which means that phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal accumulations of volcanic gas may still occur.

With Jester Manalastas and Jane Eleda