ASH-COVERED PLANTATION. Photo shows a pineapple plantation covered by ash spewed by Taal Volcano on Sunday (Jan. 12, 2019). The Department of Agriculture (DA) on Wednesday said ashfall from the restive volcano still has a benefit because it replenishes the nutrients of the soil, improving its fertility in the long run. (Photo courtesy of Go Cavite Facebook)
MANILA -- Despite the PHP577.59-million worth of agricultural damage caused by Taal Volcano eruption in Calabarzon, the ashfall spewed by the restive volcano still has a benefit because it replenishes the nutrients of the soil, improving its fertility in the long run, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Wednesday.
In a press briefing in Malacañang, DA Undersecretary Ariel Cayanan noted that prior eruptions of Taal Volcano have changed the agro-climatic conditions in affected areas in a good way since it paves the way for the birth of soil.
“’Yung lupa na overused maybe before ay natabunan so na-replenish ‘yung neutral content niya (The overused soil has been buried so its neutral content has been replenished),” Cayanan told Palace reporters.
“Kaya po ang nakikita po nating benepisyo rito ay na-replenish yung soil natin. There is a short-term, medium-term (and) the long-term benefit (So the benefit that we see is Taal Volcano’s ashfall replenishes our soil. It has a short-term, medium-term, and long-term benefit),” he added.
Taal Volcano, which has not erupted in decades, began to spew clouds of ash into the sky on Sunday, prompting the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to declare Alert Level 4.
Alert Level 4 means a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours or days.
On Sunday, Taal Volcano had a phreatic eruption, a stream-driven episode when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot water, rocks, or new volcanic deposits.
The volcano’s phreatic eruption blasted thick ash and steam in Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and parts of Southern Luzon.
From phreatic eruption, Taal Volcano’s activity progressed Monday into “magmatic eruption,” which involves the rise of magma towards the surface that normally generates detectable earthquakes.
Cayanan noted that since ash particles from Taal Volcano are “acidic,” the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) would conduct a study on the fresh volcanic ash deposits.
“May acidic particle ito, kailangang pag-aralan pa ng Bureau of Soils and Water Management kasi may traceability concern naman tayo para safe naman ang kinakain natin (It has an acidic particle so it is necessary for the Bureau of Soils and Water Management to conduct a study because we have a traceability concern so the food that we will eat are safe for consumption),” the DA official said.
No species extinction
Taal Volcano, a popular tourist spot ringed by a sweeping lake, is the second most active volcano in the country.
In recent history, Taal Volcano has five violent eruptions recorded in 1749, 1754, 1911, 1965, and 1977.
The 1911 deadly explosion killed more than 1,000 and destroyed agriculture and properties.
Despite Taal Volcano’s latest violent activity, Cayanan said the volcano’s possible hazardous explosive explosion was unlikely to result in mass species extinction.
“Hindi ho ba there are some municipalities na na-create at meron naming some municipalities na lumubog. So what was the effect doon sa Taal mismo (There are some municipalities created and some municipalities blanketed in ash following the previous eruption. So what was the effect of Taal Volcano’s eruption?)” Cayanan said.
“Course of nature iyan, magkakaroon po ng adoption syempre. So extinction totally, I don’t think so. Pero magkakaroon po ng kaganapan ng kaanyuan (It’s a course of nature so of course, there will be an adoption. So extinction totally, I don’t think so. But there will be a new form),” he added.
Cayanan gave the assurance, even after the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources noted that fish kill due to high sulfur content in Taal Lake could damage around 6,000 fish cages with production loss.
On Tuesday, the Department of Health (DOH) advised the public to refrain from buying and eating fish from Taal Lake and Batangas province, amid Taal Volcano’s activity.
Ash-coated fruits, veggies safe to eat
DOH Undersecretary Eric Domingo reiterated the warning to avoid the consumption of fish sourced from areas near Taal Volcano.
“Hangga’t hindi tayo sigurado (While we are still uncertain), might as well be cautious because toxic substances have been thrown out the volcano and na-dissolve iyan sa tubig natin (and dissolved in water),” Domingo, who joined Cayanan at the press briefing, said.
“Refrain lang tayo from taking mga isda (Let’s refrain from eating fish),” he said.
Domingo, meantime, said vegetables and fruits coated with ash can still be eaten, as long as these are properly washed.
“’Yung gulay at saka prutas na nalagyan ng abo, basta hugasan lang ng mahusay yun at linisin, pwedeng kainin yun (They can eat vegetables and fruits that are coated with ash but properly washed),” the Health official said.
Cayanan noted that seven million fingerlings of tilapia, 20,000 for ulang(giant freshwater prawn), 50,000 for hito(catfish), and 100,000 for bighead carp will be distributed once aquaculture operation in the Taal Lake resumes.
He added that vegetable and fish traders and vendors from Central Luzon are highly encouraged to sell their products in areas affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano.
“Puwede pong mag-source out tumulong na po ang Region 3 (Those who are from Region 3 can help by sourcing out their products),” Cayanan said.
“’Yung organisadong maggugulay at organisadong magfi-fish pong ay makipag-coordinate para mahango natin ang kanilang produkto sa mga naapektuhang mamamayan (The vegetable and fish traders should coordinate so their products can be brought to affected individuals),” he added. (PNA)
