BATANGAS CITY (PIA) – The Taal Volcano Island (TVI) remains restricted to the public while the Taal volcano exhibits abnormal activities such as the phreatomagmatic eruption on October 2.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) said molten magma came into contact with water and caused the minor eruption, that lasted a total of 11 minutes and produced a 2,400-meter-tall plume.
Forester Joseph Pusancho, of the Protected Area Management Office – Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (PAMO-TVPL), said that only government agencies – like PHIVOLCS for regular monitoring and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for biodiversity assessment and monitoring – are allowed inside the Taal island.
“Conducting any livelihood activities around the Taal Volcano area is strictly prohibited. However, daytime entry for authorized personnel is allowed,” Pusancho said in a recent meeting of the regional disaster risk reduction management council.
He added that the academe can also enter the island for research, but they must first secure clearance from the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) before entering the TVI.
Pusancho clarified, “The research being conducted here is not concentrated at the crater of the volcano island itself. Research is being carried out in the island’s vicinity and the entire lake, but not in the crater.”
Local government units and law enforcement agencies are allowed to enter the TVI for official purposes, such as security and monitoring.
Tourism activities around the island are limited to daytime ecotourism, such as boating, sightseeing, trekking, and birding, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. These activities are allowed provided that local government units have the capacity for immediate evacuation.
Law enforcement agencies, such as the Philippine Coast Guard, maintain a logbook to track individuals entering and leaving the TVI.
“Law enforcers must have proper and sufficient tools and maintain close coordination with the PAMB and the DENR through PAMO-TVPL. We must always stay in close contact to respond quickly during emergencies,” Pusancho explained.
Despite calls to open the island for ecotourism, Pusancho emphasized that restricting activities on TVI is beneficial for public safety.
He also reiterated PAMB Resolution No. 65, which declares Taal Volcano Island a “No Human Settlements Zone” to mitigate risks should there be abnormal volcanic activity.
“Allowing tourism on the island is not that simple, given the ‘abnormal’ situation of Taal Volcano. What we are doing is a precautionary measure,” Pusancho said.
In coordination with local government units, the DENR and law enforcement agencies conduct regular inspections, monitoring, and patrolling in the vicinity of the TVI. The agency also uses its social media pages and official website to provide updates on the status of the volcano.
Alert level 1 remains hoisted over Taal, indicating possible gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, and minor ashfall. (PB/PIA4A)
