Evacuation continues in Batangas after Taal's record-high sulfur dioxide emittance

MANILA - The evacuation of residents in Batangas continues following Taal Volcano's record-high sulfur dioxide emittance, an official said Monday.

The volcano on Sunday released 22,628 tons of sulfur dioxide, which Phivolcs said was "anomalously high."

• 'Highest ever’ sulfur dioxide levels, series of strong quakes recorded at Taal

At least 15,000 residents have fled their homes following last week's eruption, Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas earlier said.

• 15,000 Batangas residents flee Taal phreatic eruptions: governor

In evacuation sites, only up to two families are placed in a single room and additional facilities were opened in several towns, said Joselito Castro, chief of the provincial disaster management office.

"Ang mga bayan naman sa lalawigan ay nakahanda sa worst-case scenario. Nakahanda rin ang evacuation centers sa iba’t ibang bayan, distrito," he told ABS-CBN's Teleradyo.

(The province's towns are prepared for the worst-case scenario. The evacuations centers are also ready.)

Meantime, tourists are safe in other parts of the province which are not considered "high-risk," said Castro.

"Ang bilin po ng national (government), mahigpit na ipatutupad po ang s-pass," he said, referring to the country's travel management system.

(The national government has ordered the strict implementation of s-pass.)

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