Disaster officials said on Tuesday that local government units near Taal and Kanlaon are ready to evacuate residents if the two volcanoes continue showing dangerous activity.
But in a briefing, the deputy spokesperson of the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Diego Mariano said that evacuation was still unnecessary, given the low level of unrest in the two volcanoes.
“Our resources are ready. Our evacuation centers are ready because the restiveness of these volcanoes is not new,” Mariano said in Filipino.
“Our LGUs are prepared for whatever happens — in case the situation worsens for these two volcanoes,” he added.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) reported that as of 5 a.m. on June 13, some 28 volcanic earthquakes, including seven tremors, were observed from Taal Volcano.
Taal also emitted some 5,024 tons of sulfur dioxide and showed moderate 900-meter-tall plumes.
Entry to Taal Volcano Island, which is under the Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and flying any aircraft close to the volcano are still restricted.
Phivolcs also warned that hazards such as steam-driven or phreatic or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas may occur at Taal.
In Negros Island, Kanlaon emitted 200-meter tall plumes and had three volcanic quakes.
On June 5, it generated 1,089 tons of sulfur dioxide.
Phivolcs said on Monday that the current activities between Mayon Volcano, Taal Volcano, and Kanlaon Volcano are isolated and had nothing to do with each other.
Taal Volcano has been on Alert Level 1 since July 11, 2022, while Kanlaon Volcano has been placed on Alert Level 1 since 2020.
Mayon Volcano remained on Alert Level 3 status due to its magmatic unrest.
