TASK FORCE. The Batangas provincial government is closely monitoring the dry spell's impact on agriculture, livelihood, and tourism, among others. Provincial Administrator Wilfredo Racelis (left) and Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Dr. Amor Calayan (center) attended a meeting of the province's El Niño task force on Tuesday (April 9, 2024) to assess the risks brought about by extreme heat and possible mitigation measures. (Photo courtesy of Batangas PIO)
BATANGAS CITY – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) here on Tuesday said all is well after the magnitude 4.4 quake that hit the province Monday night.
“The earthquake yesterday evening was tectonic and not related to Taal Volcano activity. It is only due to the movement of the soil underneath but no indication for tsunami alert,” Dr. Amor Calayan, PDRRMO head, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview on Tuesday.
She added that while the volcano is in Level 1 of unrest, there is no impending eruption following the earthquake at 9:57 p.m.
The epicenter was recorded in the town of Calatagan, a tourist destination that is known for its pristine white sand beaches and rich cultural heritage.
The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-Phivolcs) said it had a depth of 101 km and was also felt in Magallanes, Cavite.
Under Alert Level 1 (low-level unrest), entry into Taal Volcano Island, occupancy and boating in Taal Lake is not allowed, according to Phivolcs.
Calayan assured visiting tourists that the PDRRMO and local DRRMOs are ready to respond to any emergency across the province.
She said they also have the El Niño Task Force to address the effects of hot dry season. (PNA)
