Bacolod Bishop Patricio Buzon is calling on the faithful to pray for the safety of the people affected by Taal Volcano’s unrest following a phreatomagmatic eruption Thursday afternoon, July 1.
“In solidarity with the communities that are affected by the eruption of Taal volcano today, July 1, I am calling on our parishes and chaplaincies to offer masses and prayer intentions starting tomorrow for the safety and protection of our people in those areas”, the bishop said.
At 3:16 p.m. Taal Volcano’s main crater generated a short-lived 1 kilometer high phreatomagmatic plume prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to raise its alert level to 3.
This means that there is magmatic intrusion at the main crater that may further drive succeeding eruptions, it said.
Phivolcs strongly recommended that Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel, Batangas, be evacuated due to the possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami.
The public is reminded that the entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone, and entry into the island as well as high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel is prohibited, it said.
Communities around the Taal Lake shore are advised to take precautionary measures and be vigilant of possible lake water disturbances related to the ongoing unrest, Phivolcs added.*