The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) announced on Thursday that it is constantly watching the restive Taal Volcano, which has erupted again with magmatic gases and steam, forcing populations surrounding it to escape to safer ground.

In an episode of The Mangahas Interview, PHIVOLCS Chief Renato Solidum Jr. promised that the agency is prepared for any scenario, including the supervolcano’s “more violent” explosions.

“Ang alert level ng mga bulkan ay nakatutok sa pinakamatindi or worst case na istilo ng  eruption nya.  Ito yung nagbibigay tayo ng statement na Alert Level 5,”(“The alert level of the volcanoes is focused on the most severe or worst case style of eruption. This is what we are giving the Alert Level 5 statement,”) Solidum stated.

“Kahit anong alert level may posibilidad ng pagsabog pero maliit lang. Ang binabantayan natin kung lalakas pa. Kasi bawat alert level nagi-increase tayo ng ipapa-evacuate,”(“Any alert level has the possibility of an explosion but it is small. What we are watching to see if it gets stronger. Because with each alert level, we increase the number of people to be evacuated,” he stated.

Solidum stated that unlike other volcanoes that rest after a massive explosion, Taal has the tendency to resupply magma while exploding. This explains its eruption in succeeding years, similar to what occurred in 2020 and 2021.

Taal was placed on Alert Level 3 (magmatic unrest) on Saturday after it “produced a short-lived phreatomagmatic explosion” at 7:22 a.m.

“This was followed by practically continuous phreatomagmatic activity that created plumes of 1500M accompanied by volcanic earthquakes and infrasound signals,” according to the report.

According to the Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, more over 5,800 individuals have been evacuated from their houses as a result of the volcano’s disturbance.

According to the  PHIVOLCS Chief, some residents are allowed to stay in their homes as long as they have ready transportation should mandatory evacuation be issued.

Solidum then stated the government should have long-term plans for the possible “worst case eruption,” similar to the 1965 Taal Volcano eruption.

“Kailangan magkaroon ng long-term development planning sa paligid ng Taal. Syempre di naman maiiwasan na manirahan pa ang mga tao pero unti-unti kailangan na yung mga actions para mapaghandaan kung totoong may nangyaring malakas ng eruption,”(We should have long-term development planning in areas surrounding Taal. Of course, it is inevitable for residents to go back to their homes. That’s why the actions for the possible eruption should be slowly implemented.) he stated.