HUNDREDS of families from the towns of Agoncillo and Laurel in Batangas were evacuated from their homes after Taal Volcano on Saturday showed signs of unrest.

More phreatomagmatic bursts were reported, which occurred at 4:34 a.m. and 5:04 a.m. yesterday as high as 800 meters and 400 meters respectively.

On Saturday, the volcano was placed under Alert Level 3 following a series of short phreatomagmatic bursts.

A phreatomagmatic burst is a result of new magma and water interacting.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the phreatomagmatic bursts were recorded at 7:22 a.m. on Saturday, with plumes reaching as high as 1,500 meters.

The activity was accompanied by volcanic earthquake and infrasound signals.

Some 241 families in the two towns are seeking shelter at the evacuation centers after the local government conducted a mandatory evacuation of people living near the volcano.

National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council spokesperson Mark Timbal said 160 families consisted of around 800 to 900 individuals were evacuated to five schools and one covered court in Agoncillo while 81 families consisted of 222 individuals were rescued in Laurel town.

According to the NDRRMC, evacuation was immediately implemented in the high-risk barangays of Bilibinwang and Banyaga in Agoncillo town; Boso-Boso and Bugaan East in Laurel town; and Gulod in Calatagan town, which are all located within the seven-kilometer danger zone from the Taal Volcano Main Crater.

The Office of Civil Defense-Calabarzon said an emergency meeting among members of the Council, Protected Area Management Board and the mayors of Agoncillo and Laurel municipalities were conducted following Taal Volcano’s phreatomagmatic bursts.

The DSWD will distribute food packs to the evacuees.

“Residents of the affected areas are advised to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures, and follow authorities’ warnings and advisories,” the NDRRMC said in a statement.

ASHFALL OBSERVED IN SURROUNDING AREAS

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Saturday night said sulfur-smelling wet ashfall was reported in Taal Volcano and in the surrounding shores in Batangas.

In an update yesterday, Phivolcs said the ashfall was experienced on Taal Volcano Island on Calauit in Balete and Alas-as in San Nicolas shorelines and on the lakeshore of Banyaga in Agoncillo, Batangas.

The Department of Health advised affected people to stay indoors. The use of N95 mask, goggles, or eyeglasses was also encouraged.

According to the DOH, ashfall may cause eye irritation, cough, bronchitis-like illness, discomfort while breathing, nose and throat irritation.

Those with asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis were told to avoid exposure to volcanic ash.BATANGAS PNP ON FULL ALERT

The Batangas Police Provincial Office under the leadership of Col. Glicerio Cansilao is now under full alert status following Taal Volcano’s unrest.

Cansilao assigned security personnel to the evacuation centers, conducting route security and activated the Reactionary Standby Support Force.

“Everyone, especially those in the immediate danger zone of the volcano, is reminded to be vigilant and follow the notice of the authorities. The safety of all is our desire. We must continue to pray and be careful,” the Batangas top cop said. With Jojo Magsombol