A total of 107 residents from 29 families evacuated in Agoncillo, Batangas, following a minor phreatomagmatic eruption of Taal Volcano on Thursday evening, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
The evacuees are temporarily staying at the socio-civic center in Barangay Pansipit after ashfall affected the villages of Bilibinwang and Banyaga, the PCG said.
Social workers are continuing to address the needs of residents staying at the evacuation center.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported that the five-minute eruption began at about 6:06 p.m. Thursday.
The eruption sent ash to an estimated height of 4,000 meters above the volcano’s crater, according to PHIVOLCS.
The agency warned of possible ashfall in Agoncillo, Lemery, San Nicolas and Taal in Batangas, as well as nearby areas.
Despite the eruption, Taal Volcano remained under Alert Level 1, which indicates a low level of volcanic unrest.
The evacuation followed the ashfall that affected communities in Agoncillo, prompting residents from the affected barangays to seek temporary shelter at the designated evacuation center.
Authorities and social workers are attending to the needs of the displaced families while the situation develops.
PHIVOLCS’ warning covered several municipalities in Batangas that could experience ashfall following the volcanic activity.
The agency’s assessment maintained the volcano at Alert Level 1 despite the reported eruption.
The incident underscores the need for residents in areas covered by the ashfall advisory to remain aware of official updates from authorities.
The PCG reported the number of evacuees and their temporary shelter, while PHIVOLCS provided details about the eruption’s duration, timing and estimated ash height.
