Ashfall from Taal blankets Agoncillo, Batangas; over 100 residents evacuated

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More than 100 residents of Agoncillo, Batangas were evacuated as a precaution after Taal Volcano erupted on Thursday evening.

In a “24 Oras” report by Bam Alegre on Friday, the eruption occurred at around 6 p.m. on October 8 and coincided with a lightning strike captured by the Taal Volcano Network Observation Station.

Residents of Barangay Bilibinwang in Agoncillo witnessed thick, dark ash clouds rising from the volcano.

“Pati ako nag-panic, tapos bigla pong umulan ng putik. Sobrang [baho] nung asupre po,” resident Inday said.

(Even I panicked, and then it suddenly started raining mud. The sulfur smell was overwhelming.)

“Kakaiba po kahapon, medyo malakas nga lang po yung usok. Biglang pumutok laang, biglaan ho, ‘Yung amoy mabaho pa nga po,” another resident, Michael Enriquez, said.

(Yesterday was unusual—the smoke was quite thick. It erupted so suddenly, and there was a foul odor.)

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1 following the five-minute minor phreatomagmatic eruption at its main crater.

Although the ashfall has subsided, the Agoncillo local government unit (LGU) advised evacuees against returning home immediately, citing lingering sulfur odors and safety concerns.

“Amoy na amoy pa rin ang asupre doon, kaya hindi pa rin hong safe para sa ating mga kababayan na bumalik, lalo na po ‘yung may mga bata, ‘yung mga matatanda at ‘yung may mga sakit sa baga,” Mayor Cindy Reyes said.

(The smell of sulfur is still very strong there, so it is not yet safe for our residents to return, especially children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.)

The Agoncillo Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) said it would continue monitoring the affected areas and ensure that roads are cleared of mud left by the ashfall.

“Bago po natin pabalikin ang ating mga residente ay siguro po mas mainam po na ma-monitor namin kung safe na talaga yung area at ganon din po yung atin pong konseho ay tutulungan po nating maisaayos kaagad yung mga putik po sa daan,” MDRRMO III Head Junefrance De Villa said.

(Before we allow our residents to return, it would be best to monitor the area to ensure that it is safe. Our council will also help clear the mud from the roads as soon as possible.)

Despite the eruption, the wedding of John Derrick and Alyssa Balba proceeded as planned, Alegre reported. — Lyjah Tiffany Bonzo/VBL, GMA News