00:00Volcanic smog or vog from Taal Volcano covered more than 30 towns and villages in Batangas.
00:09It also reached other provinces, like Occidental Mindoro, far from Batangas.
00:15Paul Hernandez, GMA Regional TV. Paul?
00:24Mel, there is no record of being affected by volcanic smog or vog.
00:29However, N95 face masks were distributed to ensure the safety of the public.
00:38Volcanic smog or vog is very visible in Batangas today.
00:43This is something that the tricycle drivers in Balete, Batangas are enduring.
00:47Because the smoke is very bad, it entered this area.
00:53Yesterday, there was a lot of smoke.
00:56Now, it's worse.
00:58The volcanic smog is very visible.
01:01We are afraid.
01:03More than 30 towns and villages were affected by vog
01:07according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office or PDRRMO Batangas.
01:13As for the towns surrounding the volcano,
01:16where face-to-face classes and distance learning were suspended,
01:21in Lipas City, face-to-face classes were suspended in elementary schools in Barangay Halang, Sico, and San Salvador.
01:29Of the 31 out of 34 municipalities that we have, there are 4 cities there.
01:35As of now, we know that the wind is very weak.
01:40Vog is happening because the volcanic gas of Taal Volcano was blown up.
01:44It was trapped in the Himpapawid, so it mixed with the smoke.
01:47According to PHIVOLCS, the wind speed in Taal Volcano Island is a factor.
01:52That's why the volcanic gas is not dissipated or blown up immediately.
01:55The plume of smoke reaches up to 2,400 meters.
02:00The last known sulfur dioxide emission in the volcano will reach more than 3,300 meters.
02:06It's very weak. It doesn't move.
02:09It's slow. It should be strong so that our sulfur dioxide won't stay in one place.
02:15If they can't avoid going out of their homes, they are told to wear a face mask,
02:19so that the authorities can spread it to the affected areas.
02:22No one has been informed to go to the hospital because of the effect of the Vog.
02:27We are with the PHO.
02:29No one has reported to us.
02:31Even though we are doing our best and we are getting the data
02:36that there are people affected by respiratory problems or illnesses.
02:42PHIVOLCS has repeatedly said that this is not a sign that the Taal Volcano will erupt,
02:46especially since nothing is happening.
02:49Also because of the Vog, face-to-face classes are suspended
02:52for all those who attend Occidental Mindoro until tomorrow, August 20, 2024.
02:57Based on that, the local government issued an announcement.
03:00Mel, as of now, PHIVOLCS cannot say until when this Volcanic Smog or Vag will be experienced.
03:10They say that the Vag will only erupt when the wind speeds up in the Taal Volcano Island.
03:17Mel.
03:18Thank you very much, Paul Hernandez of GMA Regional TV.
03:30For more information, visit www.gma.gov
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