Taal Volcano in the Philippines Erupts

Jan 20, 2020

After 42 years, Taal Volcano erupted again.

The last time it erupted was in October 1977.

This year’s eruption started last January 12 and has affected thousands of families and caused millions-worth of damage.

It started spewing ash that afternoon which Phivolcs raised the status to Alert Level 3 indicating “magmatic unrest.”

Until it was raised again to Alert Level 4 (hazardous eruption imminent) at night time with ashes and rock fragments column reached up to 15 km due to continuous eruption. There was also frequent volcanic lightning.

Heavy charcoal-like ash rained down on towns and villages, blanketing everything.

Several areas also experienced power outages.

This caused nearly 25,000 people to flee or be displaced from the danger zone.

The ashfall had reached Calabarzon and Metro Manila prompting everyone to use gas masks.

Amid the ongoing eruption, agricultural damage hits P577 million.

The Department of Agriculture said 2,772 hectares and 1,967 animals have been affected in the region of Calabarzon to date. Damaged commodities include high-value crops such as rice, corn, banana, coffee and cacao.

Farms were covered with corrosive ashes, making majestic greeny rainforest turn into gray.

The DA's Calabarzon office will distribute P21.7 million worth of assistance to the local government units in Batangas province.

Despite the agricultural damage, the Bureau of Soils and Water Management said the volcanic eruption contributes to the "birth of soil" that renews and replenishes nutrients for better soil fertility in the medium to long term.

Organizations and government agencies have begun calling for donations to help victims and evacuees.

Here is a list of some groups accepting donations and how you can contact them:

1. Philippine Red Cross