MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on Thursday said it has downgraded the alert on Taal Volcano to level 1 following the decrease in volcanic quakes and surface activity at the main crater.

In its bulletin, Phivolcs said the Taal Volcano’s condition in the succeeding four weeks after its alert was lowered to level 2, has been characterized by low-level volcanic earthquake activity, stabilizing ground deformation of the Taal Caldera and the Taal Volcano Island edifices, and weak surface activity at the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure.

“DOST-PHIVOLCS is lowering the alert status of Taal Volcano from Alert Level 2 to Alert Level 1 to reflect the overall decreasing trend in the level of monitoring parameters,” its bulletin reads.

State volcanologists said that alert level 1 means that the volcano is still in “abnormal condition,” and that this “should not be interpreted that unrest has ceased or that the threat of an eruption has disappeared.”

Under alert level 1, sudden steam-driven or phreatic explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas can occur and threaten areas within the Taal Volcano Island.

The alert level may be raised back to alert level 2 “should pronounced change in monitored parameters forewarn of renewed unrest,” Phivolcs said.

The agency reminded residents that entry to Taal’s permanent danger zone, especially the vicinities of the Main Crater and the Daang Kastila fissure, remains strictly prohibited. 

The Taal Volcano was placed under alert level 4 when it spewed ash on January 12 which sent thousands of residents to temporary shelters and disrupted businesses in surrounding areas.

It was later lowered to alert level 2 several weeks later due to decreased unrest. — ROBIE DE GUZMAN

MANILA, Philippines – The provincial government of Cavite on Sunday confirmed it has recorded its second case of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection.

In a Facebook post, Governor Jonvic Remulla said they have received information that the second patient is a medical practitioner who was apparently infected through community transmission.

Remulla also said that the patient is currently confined in a private hospital in Silang, Cavite.

“Covid is here in Cavite. The possibility of community transmission is very high. Please stay at home as much as possible,” he said.

Last week, Remulla confirmed its first case of coronavirus infection in the province, a returning seafarer who resides in Imus City.

Classes in all levels as well as gatherings have been suspended in Cavite until April 14 due to the “uncertain effects of the Metro Manila quarantine and curfew.”

Remulla also reminded his constituents making a journey to Metro Manila to bring necessary documents to be presented during the inspection.

He likewise advised them to be prepared for extreme delays in getting in and out of the city during the quarantine period.

Authorities earlier said that during community quarantine, land, domestic sea and air travel to and from Metro Manila is suspended.

Border checkpoints manned by uniformed personnel and quarantine officers are also set up for inspection and monitoring as the movement of people shall be limited to accessing basic necessities and work within the region.

Non-essential entry and exit of people in the contained area is prohibited except for health workers, authorized government officials, and those traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons.

The government, however, clarified that persons residing outside of the National Capital Region but report for work in Metro Manila will still be allowed to enter the region as long as they present proof of their employment, such as company ID or certificate of employment.

MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has suspended the voter registration until March 31 amid the rising number of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infections in the country.

In a statement, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez announced that the suspension will begin on Tuesday, March 10.

“As a response to the growing threat to public health posed by COVID-19, voter registration has been suspended by the Comelec until the 31^st of March 2020,” he said.

Jimenez said the suspension takes effect nationwide, encompassing voter registration conducted in all Comelec offices in districts, cities, and municipalities, as well as all satellite registration activities.

“The public is advised to take all necessary precautionary measures to limit their exposure to the possibility of COVID-19 infection,” he added.

The poll body opened the voter registration for the 2022 national elections last January. It was initially set to run until September 30, 2021.

As of posting time, the Philippines has 33 confirmed coronavirus cases.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier declared a public health emergency amid the rising cases of COVID-19 infections in the country.

The DOH also raised Code Red Sublevel 1 after confirming the country’s first case of coronavirus local transmission.