Government work still suspended in Batangas, resumes Tuesday in Metro Manila, Central Luzon
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang Monday suspended government work and classes for Tuesday, January 14, in Batangas, the province worst hit by Taal Volcano's explosion.
Work in Metro Manila and Central Luzon will resume Tuesday while the suspension of classes in these areas was left to the discretion of the local governments.
"As recommended by the NDRRMC (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council), the suspension of classes in all levels and work in government in the Province of Batangas shall remain in force tomorrow until further advice of the LGUs concerned," a statement from the Office of the Executive Secretary said.
"Work in government in the NCR (National Capital Region) and Region 3 shall resume tomorrow. Suspension of classes shall be left to the discretion of the local executives who are in the best position to assess the situation in their areas of responsibility," it added.
The suspension of classes and work in Batangas does not cover frontline response agencies involved in disaster response, delivery of basic and health service, and other vital services.
"The private sector is highly encouraged to suspend work for the safety of their employees," the Office of the Executive Secretary said.
Duterte to visit areas affected by eruption
President Rodrigo Duterte said he would visit the areas affected by the Taal Volcano explosion Tuesday.
"Yes, tomorrow. I will go around. If you don't see me, look for me in the ravine," he told reporters in Fort Bonifacio Monday evening.
"If I go helicopter, I won't be able to go around. I want to go around. I want to visit all the affected areas but I've been warned by a doctor to be careful...I have dynamics with smoking, the years of smoking, your lungs are affected," he added.
Duterte also warned traders not to take advantage of the situation by unduly raising the prices of face masks. He said the administration is ready to impose price caps on face masks and to distribute them for free to those who cannot afford them.
"I am not surprised because... if the demand is high then we will experience lack of supplies and then prices go up. Or the worst thing that they can do, if they have enough supplies and yet they're selling it at prohibitive prices already. So I'm setting the limit. I'd like to talk to the health secretary tomorrow," the president said.
"Do not hoard it. 'Pag tinago ninyo then I would be forced to order... pasukin ka (you will be raided)," he added.
Asked if he can withstand the ashfall, Duterte replied: "Kainin ko pa 'yang ash fall na 'yan. Pati 'yang taal na 'yan ihian ko 'yan. P***** bwisit na 'yan (I can even eat ashfall. I can pee on Taal, that b****, pest)."
Get updates as Phivolcs issues warnings over activity in Taal Volcano. (Main photo by Philstar.com/Rosette Adel)
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology issues a notice reporting an increased and continuous degassing activity from Taal Volcano.
In its 6 p.m. advisory, Phivolcs says the sulfur dioxide emission from the main crater reached 9762 tonnes per day. This was the higher recorded this year.
Phivolcs adds that there was no smog or vog observed. — Rosette Adel
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology says Taal Volcano is still under Alert Level 1.
In an update on Wednesday, its says that the daily sulfur dioxide emissions (SO2) reached 2887 tonnes / day (06 October 2023).
Phivolcs also observes upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake. — Rosette Adel
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reports that Taal Volcano's daily sulfur dioxide emissions (SO2) reached 2887 tonnes.
It observes upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake as well as volcanic smog or vog.
The volcano's emissions are also 2400 meters tall. — Rosette Adel
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology releases time-lapse snapshots of degassing activity from the Taal Main Crater and volcanic smog or vog formation on Sunday.
These were taken from 5:45 a.m. to 11:42 a.m. by the Mt. Macolot, Cuenca, Batangas station (VTCU) IP Camera.
LOOK: Time-lapse snapshots of degassing activity from the Taal Main Crater and volcanic smog or vog formation taken from 05:45 AM to 11:42 AM today, 8 October 2023 by the Mt. Macolot, Cuenca, Batangas station (VTCU) IP Camera. pic.twitter.com/jp48R1IZQy
— PHIVOLCS-DOST (@phivolcs_dost) October 8, 2023
— Rosette Adel
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology records daily sulfur dioxide emissions that reached 2730 tonnes / day (22 September 2023).
It also observes upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the Main Crater Lake and observed VOG.
Phivolcs adds that there is a ong-term deflation of the Taal Caldera; short-term inflation of the northern flanks of the Taal Volcano Island.
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