The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvolcs) on Monday lowered the Alert Level 1 the security situation in Taal Volcano in Batangas as the volcano showed low levels of activity.
Phivolcs said Taal recorded a decline in daily average of volcanic earthquakes, from seven daily between Jan. 1 and May 31 down to zero since June 13.
There were “stabilizing ground deformation” and decreased volcanic gas emissions, the agency said.
Despite the downgrade, Phivolcs said the unrest has not yet stopped, or that the threat of an eruption has disappeared.
“Should an uptrend or pronounced change in monitored parameters forewarn of renewed unrest, the alert may be raised back to Alert Level 2,” Phivolcs said.
Local government units near the volcano were advised to continuously assess previously evacuated barangays around Taal Lake for damage and road accessibility, and strengthen preparedness in case of renewed unrest.
