Stay away from Taal, Palace warns tourists and residents

On Saturday, Malacañang appealed to residents and tourists to heed warnings by state volcanologists to keep away from the crater of Taal Volcano in Batangas, due to high carbon dioxide levels there. Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said tourists and residents should also heed the calls of local officials to evacuate once the need arises. “Lalo sa ganyang situation ang unang appeal sa kababayan nating malapit, lalo sa paanan ng bulkan. Sumunod sa barangay officials pag sinabing lumayo ng kaunti o di kaya’y kailangan mag-evacuate. Yan ang apela natin palagi – mag-cooperate with local officials on the ground (Inn such situations, our first appeal would be to heed the authorities in staying away from the volcano’s crater. And those residents living at the foot of the volcano should heed village leaders’ call to evacuate if the need arises)," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio. Also, she said local disaster management officials should remain on alert for any sign of danger. “Sila ang unang nagresponde kung may ganyang situation (They, the frontliners, are the first to respond to any situation)," she said. On Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned visitors and tourists against venturing near Taal’s crater after they (Phivolcs) had noted increased carbon dioxide levels in the area. Taal is a major tourist attraction. But Phivolcs head Renato Solidum Jr. said carbon dioxide levels in March were more than four times what they were last year. “Masyadong mataas ang carbon dioxide na lumalabas sa kanyang crater. Last year 1,000 tons per day, tumaas itong taon. Since January, 2000 tons per day. At sa March, 4,600 tons per day (The levels of carbon dioxide at the crater area are very high. Last year, the levels reached 1,000 tons a day. This rose to 2,000 tons a day in January. But in March, the levels went further up to 4,600 tons a day)," Solidum said in an interview on dzBB radio Friday. He said this was due to underground magma releasing gas. Further, Solidum said carbon dioxide is dangerous to humans and may cause dizziness and suffocation. “Delikado ang carbon dioxide sa tao. Pag sobra ang nalanghap namamatay (Carbon dioxide is harmful to humans. If you inhale too much of it you can die)," he said. — AYA/TJD, GMA News