We are closely monitoring the situation in Taal after the phreatomagmatic eruptions that occurred in Taal Volcano.

Evacuation activities in high-risk barangays in Laurel and Agoncillo as well as in other nearby municipalities in Batangas province are ongoing.

Local government units are leading the efforts on the ground through their Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices with the support of counterparts in the line agencies. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 4-A is on heightened alert and has stockpiles of relief support consisting of food packs amounting to 1.4-M pesos and non-food items worth 11-M pesos. The Armed Forces of the Philippines Southern Luzon Command has activated Joint Task Force Taal to assist operations of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the local government units. The Philippine National Police in CALABARZON has been placed on alert and is coordinating with local government units to assist residents. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Logistics Systems Command, on the other hand, has already deployed vehicles and personnel to support the PCG District Southern Tagalog in the conduct of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

We ask residents in the areas surrounding the volcano lake to remain vigilant, take precautionary measures, cooperate with their local authorities should the need for evacuation arise.