The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said quakes rocked Taal Volcano in Batangas and Negros Occidental province in Western Visayas on Monday. Phivolcs said a magnitude-5 quake jolted Negros Occidental province in Western Visayas Monday morning, nearly a week after a magnitude-6.2 quake hit the area. Meanwhile, at least five volcanic quakes were recorded at restive Taal Volcano in Batangas in the last 24 hours, Phivolcs said. Negros Occidental quake Phivolcs said the quake was recorded at 8:43 a.m. and was tectonic in origin. In its bulletin, Phivolcs said the epicenter was 61 km southwest of Cauayan, Negros Occidental. Phivolcs said the quake was felt at:
Intensity III: Sipalay City, Negros Occidental; Intensity II: Bais City, Negros Oriental; Bayawan, Negros Oriental; Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental Intensity I: Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental However, Phivolcs said no damage or aftershock was expected from the quake. The United States Geological Survey measured the quake at magnitude 4.9, and placed the epicenter at: 121 kilometers (km) west-northwest of Dumaguete, Negros Oriental; 132 km south-southwest of Iloilo; 146 km south-southwest of Bacolod, Negros Occidental, and 575 km south-southeast of Manila. Last week, a magnitude-6.2 quake jolted the Negros area, with the quake felt as far as Mindanao and prompting residents in some parts of Negros Occidental to flee their homes for fear of a possible tsunami. Quakes at Taal In its Monday update, Phivolcs said one of the five quakes recorded in Taal was felt at Intensity II at Calauit village at the eastern sector of the volcano. However, Phivolcs said Taal's status remains at Alert Level 1, meaning a hazardous eruption is not imminent. "The public, however, is reminded that the Main Crater should be strictly off-limits to the public because sudden steam explosions may occur and high concentrations of toxic gases may accumulate," it said. It added the northern portion of the Main Crater rim, in the vicinity of Daang Kastila Trail, may also be hazardous when increased steam emission is reactivated along existing fissures. Also, it said the entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ), and permanent settlement in the island is strictly not recommended. Mayon, Bulusan quiet In Albay, Phivolcs said Mayon no volcanic earthquake was recorded in the past 24 hours, althouth a weak emission of white steam clouds drifting towards north-northeast was observed from the summit crater Sunday. Alert Level 1 remains in effect over Mayon Volcano, it added. "Although this means that no eruption is imminent, it is recommended that the public should not enter the 6-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) due to the continuing threat from sudden small explosions and rockfalls from the upper and middle slopes of the volcano," Phivolcs said. It added active stream/river channels and those perennially identified as lahar prone areas in the southern sector should also be avoided especially during bad weather conditions or when there is heavy and prolonged rainfall. Meanwhile, in Sorsogon, Phivolcs said Bulusan Volcano was similarly quiet in the last 24 hours. Bulusan Volcano’s status remains at Alert Level 1, meaning the source of activity is hydrothermal and shallow. However, it said entry to the 4-kilometer radius Permanent Danger Zone (PDZ) is strictly prohibited, since the area is at risk to sudden steam and ash explosions. "Due to the prevailing wind direction, residents in the northwest and southwest sectors of the volcano are reminded to take precautions against ashfalls. Civil aviation authorities must also warn pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano’s summit as ejected ash and volcanic fragments from sudden explosions may be hazardous to aircraft," it said. Also, it said people living near valleys and river/stream channels should be vigilant against sediment-laden stream flows and lahars in the event of heavy and prolonged rainfall. - VVP, GMA News 
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