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NewsTranscript
00:00 For the update on the volcanic smog or VOG that is being caused by the Taal Volcano, we will be joined by the Director of PHEVOX, Dr. Teresito Bacolcol.
00:08 Good morning, Director Bacolcol.
00:11 Yes, good morning, ma'am.
00:13 Director, what is your latest monitoring on the Taal Volcano? Please explain why there is a VOG again.
00:19 Again, let's explain the VOG or volcanic smog. The volcanic smog or VOG is a mixture of water vapor and particulate that is accompanied by sulfur dioxide.
00:32 So, when hot volcanic material comes into contact with water, we get degassing or steaming.
00:39 This is the release of white smoke that we see in the Taal Volcano.
00:45 Along with the white smoke, the release of sulfur dioxide.
00:50 If the steam is high, even if there is sulfur dioxide, there is no problem since it can be dissolved easily.
00:57 But there are times that the sulfur dioxide and water vapor will stay on the lower level if there is a so-called thermal inversion.
01:06 This is when the temperature near the ground is low and the steam plumes cannot rise.
01:16 And there are times, depending on the prevailing wind conditions, it is deposited in other places.
01:22 This is where people smell it.
01:24 Director, is this an indication that the Taal Volcano might erupt again?
01:29 This is not an indication that we will raise the alert level 1 to alert level 2.
01:36 Right now, it's still on alert level 1.
01:38 We have different parameters that we are looking at before we raise the alert level to 2.
01:44 If we look at the number of earthquakes from 5 a.m. yesterday to 5 a.m. today, we have only 5 volcanic earthquakes.
01:54 So Director, how long will it take for this volcanic magnet to be seen and experienced?
01:59 This will probably take, again, as long as Taal Volcano is spewing out sulfur dioxide, this will be a recurring threat.
02:10 And the duration of the sulfur dioxide emission cannot be predicted due to unprecedented levels in the recorded history.
02:20 So if we look at it, prior to the 2020 eruption, we did not have sulfur dioxide in Taal.
02:26 It was only after the 2020 eruption that there was a lot of sulfur dioxide.
02:33 If we compare this to, say for example, a volcano in Japan, Miyake Jima, which also emitted a lot of sulfur dioxide,
02:46 several years before the eruption or before the sulfur dioxide emission decreased,
02:52 Miyake Jima took 5 years to decrease its sulfur dioxide emission.
02:59 Director, what is the direction of this volcano?
03:05 Can we say where it will go so that our countrymen and our loved ones who live near Taal Volcano can be prepared?
03:17 Yes, it depends on the wind direction.
03:20 Yesterday, the direction of the volcano was towards the west.
03:26 We reported that students are having trouble breathing due to the wind.
03:36 There are two western sides, Tuy Batanga, Calaca, Balayan and Nasugbo.
03:44 All of them are on the western side of Taal Volcano.
03:48 How far can it reach? There are schools that suspended classes in Las PiƱas and in Metro Manila, Isan Juan.
04:00 How far can it reach?
04:02 It can reach far. Nasugbo is on the western side of Batanga.
04:11 It depends on the wind. If the wind is strong, it can easily disperse to faraway places.
04:21 Director, do you recommend evacuating the residents, especially those who are near Taal Volcano and they are the first to be affected?
04:32 The LGUs have been dealing with this for the last two years and they are quite prepared for this.
04:39 There are cases in the past where the whole barangays were evacuated temporarily when residents were exposed.
04:45 Again, it's the call of the LGUs. Our advice is for the residents to avoid outdoor activities.
04:54 They stay inside their houses, with windows and doors closed.
04:59 If they cannot avoid going out, they protect themselves by wearing face masks and N95 if possible.
05:05 If the Asopre is contaminated, they should drink plenty of water because it's easy to dilute the Asopre.
05:12 We're hoping it will rain because the sulfur dioxide will be flushed out.
05:17 What do we remind our fellowmen, especially those with respiratory ailments, asthma, diseases?
05:28 If the Asopre is contaminated, they should drink plenty of water.
05:34 If it's really contaminated, especially those with health conditions like asthma, lung disease and other respiratory problems, then they need to see a medical doctor.
05:43 So we cannot say how long this will last and if it will be contaminated as we speak because our reporter in Tagaytay,
05:51 where we saw him, his surroundings are more foggy.
05:54 You're right. Again, this will be a recurring threat.
05:58 So they need to prepare. They should have face masks in case they smell something.
06:04 Then they should wear it immediately.
06:07 Even if they are inside the vehicle, director, and they pass through that area, when should they wear face masks even if they are inside the vehicle?
06:13 Yes. If we practice wearing face masks, so we can be sure that we are not infected.
06:23 Thank you very much, V-Box director Teresito Bacolcol. Good morning to you.
06:28 Good morning to you too.
06:31 [Beep]
06:32 [News broadcast]
06:44 [Music]