TAAL Volcano spewed sulfur dioxide gas last Sunday and yesterday, forcing 40 cities and municipalities in the provinces of Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna to suspend face-to-face classes.
Phivolcs Director Teresito Bacolcol said the smog is not an indication the volcano would erupt, noting Taal has been emitting gas for many years “and in some cases these leads to vog (smog).”
He also noted they have not recorded any volcanic earthquakes over the past 11 days. The volcano is under Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest), indicating it is still in abnormal condition.
“What’s happening is the opposite, long-term deflation,” said Bacolcol, adding: “People should not panic and think Taal Volcano will erupt.”
Phivolcs reported that it has recorded emissions of 3,355 metric tons of sulfur dioxide gases over the past 24 hours that rose to more than 2, 000 meters above the volcano.
Despite the Phivolcs assurance, 25 local government units (LGUs) suspended face-to-face classes in Batangas. Ten LGUs in Cavite and five others in Laguna also suspended classes.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, citing information from the Phivolcs, said the degassing of Taal Volcano is a “normal” activity.
“It is producing vog considering that no air movement or low windspeed was monitored in the area causing accumulation of SO2 (sulfur dioxide) over Taal caldera and adjacent areas,” the NDRRMC said, adding its regional counterpart is continuously monitoring the situation.
It is also coordinating with the Phivolcs, the environment department and local disaster reduction and management offices “to assess the situation and provide corresponding support once needed.”
The NDRRMC advised the public to “limit outdoor activities” amid the vog.
“When needed, wear a face mask or N95 mask to protect yourself, hydrate or drink water to avoid throat irritation or nasal congestion and seek medical attention when necessary,” the agency said.
DEPED ORDER
A memorandum order issued yesterday by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara authorized affected schools in Calabarzon and the National Capital Region to suspend in-person classes in the absence of an official announcement from the local government units.
“To ensure learning continuity in affected areas, DepEd instructs schools to employ alternative delivery modalities such as modular or online learning,” Angara said, adding the decision to lift the suspension would depend on whether it is safe for learners and teachers to return to schools.
Angara added that DepEd’s own Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Services has also “activated the Rapid Assessment of Damages Report for the said hazard.”
Data earlier provided by DepEd showed that 24 municipalities and one city in Batangas have suspended in-person learning and have “shifted to blended learning,” namely, Balete, Balayan, Malvar, Laurel, San Jose, Mataas na Kahoy, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Nasugbu, Lemery, Lian, Talisay, San Luis, Alitagtag, Calaca city, San Pascual, Calatagan, Tuy, Cuenca, Sta. Teresita, Bauan, San Juan, Taal, Padre Garcia, and Ibaan.
In Cavite, face-to-face classes were also suspended in Silang, Mendez, Indang, Alfonso, GMA, Carmona, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Amadeo, Maragondon, Naic, and Carmona due to the threat posed by the volcanic smog.
The DepEd said in-person learning in Binan, Calamba, and Los Banos in Laguna was also suspended.
Authorities in Cabuyao, Sta. Rosa, San Pedro, San Pablo and Bay, all in Laguna, later announced the suspension of classes on their respective Facebook pages.
The education department said Muntinlupa and Las Pinas cities also announced similar suspensions.
Tagaytay City authorities have yet to cancel classes. The city overlooks the volcano.
AIR QUALITY
Bacolcol said the low wind speed contributed to the formation of the smog, which he said was initially observed last Sunday. He said faster wind speed or rain would contribute to the dissipation of vog.
He said the haze in Metro Manila has nothing to do with Taal’s activity. “There is no report that reached us that there is vog in Metro Manila,” said Bacolcol.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recorded unhealthy air quality in several parts of the country yesterday.
In an advisory at 10 a.m., the agency said the haze may be attributed to the volcanic smog but stressed that air pollution levels are still primarily attributed to emissions from heavy vehicular traffic.
The DENR said that based on Phivolcs data, wind from Taal volcano is blowing from the southeast as of 8 a.m. yesterday, away from Metro Manila.
The DENR said its ground-level upwind particulate matter (PM) 10 reading by its monitoring stations in Tagaytay, the Batangas State University (BSU) Pateros and Taguig recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of fair level.
Monitoring stations in Caloocan, San Juan, Makati and Parañaque City also recorded AQI of good level.
However, for ground-level upwind PM 2.5, monitoring stations located in Tagaytay, BSU and Makati City recorded an AQI level of very unhealthy while stations in Caloocan, Pateros and Parañaque City recorded an AQI of unhealthy for sensitive groups for PM 2.5.
DENR said residents in areas with very unhealthy AQI values are advised to avoid heavy traffic areas and people with heart or respiratory diseases such as asthma should stay indoors as much as possible.
The agency said unnecessary trips should also be postponed and people should voluntarily restrict the usage of vehicles.
The DENR also emphasized that air quality varies in time and place and can change at any time depending on pollution sources and meteorological factors.
PUBLIC WARNED
The Department of Health (DOH) warned the public against the threat of vog or volcanic smog from Taal Volcano.
In a public advisory, the DOH said residents around the volcano and other nearby areas must be vigilant against smog.
“The public, especially those living near Taal Volcano, are being warned because of the high level of sulfur dioxide emission, which causes volcanic smog,” said the DOH.
The health department said vog exposure may cause irritation to the eyes, throat, and respiratory tract.
“These may worsen depending on the concentration and length of exposure to it,” it said. — With Ashzel Hachero, Jed Macapagal and Gerard Naval
