My son, who’s on a mission in San Pablo City for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, told me that Taal volcano is still active and affecting people nearby (including him).
One of my writers, Seagz, goes to Tagaytay often. They recently had an event to check on people most affected by Taal. She shares her story here:
At our outreach event in Tagaytay on October 8, a critical situation arose that had major implications, especially for me, as I have asthma. The situation involved the unexpected release of sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas from Taal Volcano. This led to immediate safety measures, including suspension of in-person classes in Batangas and nearby areas.
The primary concern revolved around “vog,” which stands for volcanic smog.
To clarify, “vog” is a mix of volcanic gases, like SO2, and it’s riskier for people with asthma, lung problems, and heart conditions. Vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, pregnant women, and children, are also at higher risk. Because I have asthma, I took extra precautions, including wearing an N95 mask, to reduce my exposure to SO2.
The Phivolcs had been closely monitoring SO2 emissions since early September. Even though Taal Volcano was at alert level 1, indicating low volcanic activity, this experience highlighted the importance of staying informed and prioritizing safety, especially for those with underlying health issues. Being vigilant and taking care of your well-being is crucial during such events.
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Taal is (mostly) fine. They expect more vog in the following weeks, but the residents there just need to be vigilant.
Mount Mayon, on the other hand, is currently at alert level 3. This volcano is in Bicol, 500 km south of Metro Manila. They’re seeing increased activity like lava flow, earthquakes, and smog on a daily basis. There’s a chance that a violent eruption could occur, so they’ve started evacuating people who live close to the volcano.
They’re monitoring this volcano every day now to prepare if an eruption does occur: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2023/10/14/2272880/live-updates-mayon-volcano-restiveness
Bulusan (in Sorsogon, also in the Bicol region, southern Luzon) and Mount Kanlaon (in Negros, Central Visayas) are also showing some activity like earthquakes and gas emissions. Hopefully, none of these escalate.
You’ll find up-to-date volcano alerts here: https://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/index.php/volcano-hazard/volcano-bulletin2
If you have OFS living in those places, you may want to check in on them.
John