Level of sulfur dioxide from Taal going down in Batangas —gov

The level of sulfur dioxide being emitted by Taal Volcano has been decreasing in the past few days, Batangas governor Hermilando Mandanas said Wednesday.

From 22,300 tons per day, the level is now down to 7,500 tons, he said.

“We have closely monitored this and the level of sulfur dioxide really went down. Last July 5, the sulfur dioxide covered as much as three kilometers,” Mandanas said during the Laging Handa briefing.

Mandanas, however, said the province remains on its toes, especially since they are still dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Taal Volcano's phreatomagmatic eruption last week prompted evacuations that many fear could exacerbate the pandemic in the province.

“This (eruption) is not yet over. We need to stay alert because magma from the volcano is still flowing,” Mandanas said.

Mandanas assured the public that there are enough isolation units available in the event evacuees test positive for COVID-19.

“Family tents from DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) and Red Cross will be used as isolation units, and these will be enough,” he said.

Metro Manila mayors have donated COVID-19 vaccine doses to Batangas as a result of Taal Volcano's eruption.  —KBK, GMA News