Holy Week explorers banned from Taal Island amid restive volcano

OFF LIMITS. Taal Island is seen in this undated photo partially obscured by volcanic fog, also called “vog.” Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office declared the island off-limits to visitors this Holy Week due to some low-level volcanic activity. (Arianne Lacanilao/PCI Photo)

BATANGAS CITY – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) here has declared Taal Island off limits to Holy Week vacationers in view of the volcano’s continued restiveness.

In an interview on Thursday, Dr. Amor Banuelos-Calayan, who heads Batangas’ PDRRMO, cited a Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology report released March 27 showing that the volcano remains on Alert Level 1.

Banuelos-Calayan said that while this alert level only indicates “low-level unrest,” her office has decided to keep visitors away from the active volcano in case there is a sudden spike in its activity.

“We do not have any reported volcanic earthquake today… and no reported emergency cases,” she told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).

The 23-square kilometer Taal Island is a popular destination for amateur explorers seeking a front row seat view to an active volcano, and has for years been a popular tourist destination in the province.

Meanwhile, Banuelos-Calayan said PDRRMO personnel and other first responders have been strategically placed in Batangas’ popular pilgrimage spots in anticipation of the arrival of droves of Holy Week visitors.

Among the spots being closely monitored are the Montemaria International Pilgrimage and Conference Center in Batangas City, National Shrine of St. Padre Pio in Sto. Tomas City, and the Archdiocesan Shrine of San Isidro Labrador in Cuenca –places that expect to see thousands of visitors beginning on Maundy Thursday, she said.

Montemaria is the pilgrimage site of the Mother of All Asia–Tower of Peace, which at 98.15 meters high, is the tallest statue of the Virgin Mary in the world.

Banuelos-Calayan assured that the PDRRMO will be monitoring key locations in different cities and municipalities following the influx of travelers going to and passing by the province.

“Today (Thursday), we shall monitor other places, especially churches here,” she added.

Meanwhile, Col. Samson Belmonte, director of the Batangas Provincial Police Office, said in a message to the PNA that police presence is being beefed up at the Port of Batangas.

He disclosed that Southern Luzon police chief Lt. Gen. Rhoderick Armamento and Calabarzon police chief Brig.

Gen. Paul Lucas have conducted onsite inspections of the strategic port earlier today.

Belmonte said Batangas Port serves as a jump-off point for travelers who wish to visit southern Luzon islands with separate terminals for passengers, and cargo and shipping.

“We are grateful to our senior leaders for their visit to the Port of Batangas to inspect it and also provide support to our security forces. You can count on the Batangas PPO to diligently serve the public so that they can make the most of their vacations and holidays,” he added.