Nearly 100 tremor activities were recorded by authorities at Taal Volcano in the past 24 hours, according to the latest PHIVOLCS bulletin on Thursday.
PHIVOLCS said the Taal Volcano Network recorded 91 tremor episodes with individual durations of one to five minutes. The number has increased compared to the 69 tremors recorded on Wednesday.
Weak emission of white steam-laden plumes that rose five meters high from fumaroles was observed in the main crater. PHIVOLCS said this is lower compared to the 20-meter high white steam-laden plumes on Wednesday.
On February 12, the temperature of the main crater lake was measured at 77.1°C with a pH of 1.59, according to PHIVOLCS.
Meanwhile, more than a year after Taal Volcano’s eruption, a leader of the House of Representatives called on concerned government agencies to expedite the release of financial aid and housing provisions for affected evacuees.
“We appeal to the National Housing Authority, sa DSWD and other agencies of government to expedite the release of financial aid to our people affected by the Taal Volcano eruption. Up to now, they still live in fear due to the lack of security about their situation," Vargas, chair of the House Social Services Committee, said.
Vargas said renewed volcanic activities in Taal, which has prompted authorities to evacuate residents from Volcano Island, only underscores the urgency of government action.
“The volcano is again acting up but the promises of assistance that government agencies made last year have not been fulfilled. They have been waiting for a year. This should not happen,” Vargas said.
Vargas earlier filed House Resolution 1591, urging concerned national government agencies to fast-track the aid disbursement.
He reminded government agencies in his resolution that it is their duty “to ensure with urgency that the people’s resilience are complemented with sustainable solutions that would help them recover and build back better from any disaster or calamity.”
According to the resolution, "more than a year after the first eruption of the Taal Volcano which displaced thousands of Filipinos, support from the government through financial and livelihood aid and housing has yet to be fully realized by the affected families."
These concerns were raised by the evacuees and local officials during a public consultation led by Vargas and his committee in Talisay, Batangas last month.
The consultation also discussed plausible solutions for the short-, medium- and long-term needs of the affected families.
There are over 620 families still housed in four evacuation centers.
“Community representatives from at least four evacuation sites have reported that food and health security considerations within the designated relocation sites are the short- and medium term concerns for the affected families, while sustainable livelihood and permanent housing are their primary and long-term concern,” the resolution said.
Their concern came amid updates from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) of some 50 “relatively weak” tremor episodes from the volcano.
During the consultation, the National Housing Authority (NHA) reported that it has an earlier approved budget for 160 housing units in Talisay. A second phase has also been approved with a budget of P259 million.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development also had requested an increase in the funding of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation, as well as its quick downloading to the regional office.
Vargas said that he would continue meeting with stakeholders until all intended beneficiaries receive aid.
“We will continue to coordinate with the concerned agencies to speed up the release of the much needed financial aid for the volcano eruption victims,” he said.
He reminded these agencies that President Duterte had pledged to extend all forms of assistance to affected residents.