‘Erupt already so we can get it over with’: Taal Volcano evacuees want to return home

Residents of towns near Taal Volcano in the Philippines want life to return to normal, venting their frustrations against scientists

But a Level 4 alert has been in place since the eruption on January 12, even though there has been little volcanic activity in recent days

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Taal Volcano in Batangas province in the Philippines continues to emit steam after an eruption on January 12, with a high-level alert still in place. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:00am, 22 Jan 2020Updated: 8:39am, 22 Jan 2020

Nine days after Taal Volcano erupted and forced more than 150,000 people to evacuate their homes, some of the displaced residents want life to return to normal and are venting their ire on the country’s scientists.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) has maintained Alert Level 4 since January 12, meaning a “hazardous explosive eruption” is possible in hours or days. It said all areas within 14km of Taal should be evacuated.

But on Monday, Talisay vice-mayor Charlie Natanuan urged people to return to town, saying that in his opinion, “what Phivolcs said is wrong”.

One of the villages affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano in Batangas province, south of Manila. Residents are keen to return to their homes, despite a volcano alert still being in place. Photo: EPA-EFE

Speaking in Tagalog, he said: “Now this eruption, it’s like venting off, it didn’t produce lava, this means pressure is low.”

He said he based his views on his many years of living near the volcano, and was going to ask Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to “somewhat change Phivolcs’ opinion because they’ve made things worse in the news”.

‘Erupt already so we can get it over with’: Taal Volcano evacuees want to return home

Residents of towns near Taal Volcano in the Philippines want life to return to normal, venting their frustrations against scientists But a Level 4 alert has been in place since the eruption on January 12, even though there has been little volcanic activity in recent days

Residents of towns near Taal Volcano in the Philippines want life to return to normal, venting their frustrations against scientists

But a Level 4 alert has been in place since the eruption on January 12, even though there has been little volcanic activity in recent days