Dusty roofs and alleys caked with volcanic ash. This is all that’s left in many barangays surrounding Taal Volcano.
Many barangays have turned into a sleepy village as residents were scuffling to flee their homes due to the looming dangers when the volcano suddenly roared back into life on January 12, triggering the mass evacuation of some 43,000 people.
The famous Taal Lake, which is a source of life for many people in the area, now has become a reminder of the power of nature.
Sleepless nights for OFWs in UAE
A Filipino based in Abu Dhabi said he was heartbroken at what his family went through with the recent eruption of Taal Volcano.
Arnel Palo said he and his entire family grew up in Taal, specifically in Baryo Iba—a reason he was crushed when he found out about the eruption.
“Nakakadurog ng puso halos hindi pa ako nakakatulog ng maayos sa pag-aalala simula nang mangyari ‘yon,” he said.
When Taal Volcano erupted on January 12, Palo said that his family—his son, siblings, cousins, uncles, aunties, and other relatives—were among the ones who fled immediately.
“Noong Sunday ng gabi, lahat sila lumikas at kailangang iwan ang mga bahay at lahat ng gamit para lang makaligtas,” said Palo.
Palo’s family was dispersed in various places in the province. Some headed to an evacuation center in Batangas City, some went to Lipa to stay with their distant relatives, and others spread out to Ibaan and San Juan.
Helping hands
Overseas Filipino communities in the UAE lend a helping hand to the evacuees who fled their homes in the province of Batangas due to the looming eruption of Taal Volcano.
Samahang Batangueno UAE, a Filipino community comprising OFWs born and raised in Batangas, has started communicating with their members whose homes and families are directly affected by the calamity.
Jhoanne Marrie De Villa Buela, the organization’s secretary, said they are ensuring that their families are evacuated and are in good condition.
She added, “We started collecting goods like face masks and clothes that we are going to send to the Philippines via Air Cargo. A few of our members who are in the Philippines have prepared food and other necessities to those who have already been evacuated from their areas.”
Praying for safety
Thousands of residents are currently being evacuated from the 14-kilometer ‘danger zone’ of the Taal Volcano as residents witnessed sightings of lava fountains and thick ashfall particularly in the areas of Tagaytay and Batangas.
Ana Maria Paler, a banker based in Abu Dhabi for over 15 years, shared that she was alarmed when the news broke out yesterday that she had to check on her kids in Lipa.
“Na alarm ako kasi there is no indication or news about that for the past days. Even my kids are not mentioning anything about it,” said Paler.
Paler hopes that no one would get hurt as the government declared the entire province of Batangas under the state of calamity. As of Wednesday, a total lockdown was implemented in the towns of Agoncillo, Laurel, Lemery, San Nicolas, Taal and Talisay. This means no one is allowed to return to their homes yet as a stronger eruption is imminent. “My prayers for everyone especially ung mga directly affected to keep their faith strong. God is in control. Keep on Praying.”
Possible volcanic tsunami warning
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has warned of a possible “volcanic tsunami”, which can be triggered by falling debris from Taal volcano eruption.
This may happen if the volcanic activity of Taal would reach Alert Level 5. The falling debris from the volcano may push the water generating big waves or tsunami.
“Yung volcanic tsunami po, pwede po natin iexpect kapag nag-intesify pa po lalo ang ipinapakita ng Taal ngayon sa alert level 5,” said Phivolcs Supervising Science Research Specialist Winchelle Sevilla during the Taal Volcano inter-agency coordination meeting in Tagaytay.
Health Hazards
The Department of Health (DOH) urged the public to remain vigilant and cautious amid the volcano’s escalated eruptive activity as it continues to generate a 10-15 kilometer-high steam-laden eruptive plume.
DOH reminds the public to stay indoors as exposure to volcanic ash and gases may lead to nose and throat irritation, coughing, bronchitis-like illness, discomfort while breathing, eye irritation, and minor skin problems.
“If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention at the nearest health facility, ” Duque advised.
Abandoned animals
Many animals were left behind by their owners who fled their areas amid the dangers of eminent eruption.
While it can lead to serious respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis, emphysema, or asthma, animals are not exempted from grave diseases caused by the exposure to ashfall.
According to the Philippine Animal Welfare Society, if pets have shown any signs of respiratory problems, immediately bring them to a veterinarian for a check-up.
Ghost towns
Kim Dharyl Hernandez Mercado, a resident of Brgy. Wawa Ibaba, showed in a video that he sent to The Filipino Times, the egress of his kababayans on January 13.
The photos and videos he shared tell how quickly the life in their village completely stopped as the tumultuous eruption of the volcano intensified.
He told TFT that many of them brought nothing with them out of panic. But still others did not want to leave their homes and livestock.
Most of the evacuees flocked to the Batangas Provincial Sports Complex and other temporary shelters set up by the local and provincial government.
The family of Kim decided to go to Brgy. Muzon in Alitagtag. But this place is still bordered on the north by Taal Lake. He is also worried about his father, who decided not to leave their barangay as he shrugged off danger advisories.
“Ayaw po nyang lumikas. Sabi nya po’y wala namang panganib. Ligtas naman daw po. Saka nahihirapan na rin po syang magbyahe daw ng malayo,” said Kim.
Taal Volcano is the second most active volcano in the country. Its last eruption was recorded 43 years ago, in 1977. But its most destructive on the record occurred in 1965 that devastated villages on the lake shore and killed about a hundred people.
