Taal eruption destroys P74-M agri products

MANILA - Over P74 million worth of agricultural products were destroyed in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite following the phreatic and magmatic explosion of the Taal Volcano over the weekend, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday, January 15.

The volcano remained under Alert Level 4, which means a hazardous explosive eruption is imminent within hours or days, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

“For the past 24 hours, Taal Volcano’s activity has been characterized by continuous but generally weaker eruption of the Main Crater due to magmatic and hydrovolcanic processes,” Phivolcs said in a bulletin released at 8 a.m. Wednesday.

Phivolcs officer-in-charge Renato Solidum

Jr. said weaker eruption is a normal episode in volcanic activities but it does not mean that it will no longer explode.

“Mas mahina kumpara sa mga nakaraang araw, lalung-lalo na ‘yung unang araw... Normal ‘yan sa eruption episodes ng mga volcano. Hindi naman masu-sustain ng volcano ‘yung napakalakas na pagsabog, kailangan mo ng supply ng magma,” he said.

Phivolcs said the fissures and cracks reported in at least 76 barangays signify the possibility of a strong eruption.

In its 6 a.m. Wednesday update, the NDRRMC said Batangas reported damage of P69,280,500 worth of corn, coffee and livestock while Cavite said it incurred damage of P5,628,800 worth of the same products.

Batangas was declared under a state of calamity on January 13, a day after Taal Volcano went into intense unrest and spewed steam-laden plumes and lava fountains.