Situation Overview

• On June 28-29, 2021: the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) reported high sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission coming from the Taal volcano in the province of Batangas, CALABARZON Region, approximately 70km (45 miles) south of Central Manila. On June 28, the SO2 emission averaged 14, 326 tonnes/day –the highest ever recorded in Taal.

• On July 01, 2021: Thursday afternoon, Taal Volcano begun showing signs of magmatic unrest. PHIVOLCS hoisted Alert Level 3 over Taal volcano after phreatomagmatic eruption. At 15:16H (3:16 PM) Taal spewed a “short-lived” one kilometre-high (0.62-mile) plume of gas and steam with no accompanying volcanic earthquake.

• At around 6:26 PM and 7:21 PM another two smaller phreatomagmatic eruptions happened. It lasted 2 minutes and produced 200-meters high plumes.

• Alert level 3 has been raised which indicates that a “hazardous eruption is possible within days to weeks.” PHIVOLCS recommended that Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays in the towns of Agoncillo and Laurel in Batangas be evacuated due to the possible hazards of pyroclactic density currents and volcanic tsunami.

Affected Populations

• The sudden preatomagmatic explosions forced at least 3,253 families or 14, 495 individuals from high-risk barangays to evacuate their homes.

• On Thursday (July 1) evening, the LGU of Agoncillo in Batangas started evacuation activities in Brgy. Banyaga and Bilibinwang. Meanwhile, the Laurel LGU is also evacuating high-risk barangays including Gulod, Boso-boso and Lakeshore Bugaan East.

• Based on the initial data gathered by the Southern Tagalog People’s Response Center (STPRC), a total of 283 families or 1,098 individuals from barangay Gulod, Buso-buso, Balakilong, Bugaan East are currently staying in 7 schools (Am-is Elementary School, Nyugan Elementary School, San Gregorio Annex, San Gregorio Int., Ticub ES and Bilaran HS and Bilaran Elementary School located within Laurel Batangas.

Emergency Response Efforts
• CDRC is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with STPRC for data on the ground and through PHIVOLCS updates.
• CDRC is also closely coordinating with other regional centers in affected areas to collect information on the situation and needs of the ground and constantly updating situation reports.
• CDRC’s partner in Region IV, the Southern Tagalog People’s Response, Inc. (STPRC), deployed field staff in the municipalities of Laurel and Agoncillo, Batangas to conduct initial data gathering.

Resources Available
• Standby emergency funds
• Prepositioned goods at the CDRC warehouse
• Monetary and in-kind donations
Expressed Needs

• Food supplies
• Clean water
• Hygiene kits
• Facemasks
• Primary medicines
• Sleeping materials
Coordination
1. Regional Center
Southern Tagalog People’s Response (STPRC)
Contacts
1. Hanna Fiel, Deputy Executive Director, 0945-8355589, hanna.fiel.cdrc2019@gmail.com
2. Cora Jazmines, Local Partnerships Department, 0928-182-4969, lpd@cdrc-phil.com