Phivolcs Responds To Lambasting Of Talisay Vice-Mayor
PHIVOLCS RESPONDS – The Philippine Institute Of Volcanology and Seismology was recently lambasted by Talisay Vice-Mayor Charlie Natanauan for their volcano warnings.
Due to Taal Volcano being on alert level 4, a possible hazardous eruption could happen. However, Talisay, Batangas Vice-Mayor Charlie Natanauan had criticized Phivolcs director Renato Solidum for his alert warnings.
Ang plano ko as vice mayor ay ako ay humihingi ng kuwan kay Presidente Duterte na kung maaari ‘yung opinyon ng Phivolcs ay medyo baguhin kasi masyado niyang pinalala ang sitwasyon ng balita,
According to the Vice-Mayor, Solidum’s warning was alone with his “opinion”. He stated that the entirety of Batangas is affected by his warnings and that he should study it well.
Following this, Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division head Mariton Bornas said that they understand the Vice-Mayor’s concerns.
We can understand that he is under so much stress. We would like to respect the feelings of the Vice Mayor but at the same time we are firm in our science
Eruption Prediction Division head Mariton Bornas
Based on an article from ABS-CBN, she added that Phivolcs personnel such as herself have spent considerable time in Batangas conducting fieldwork in Taal.
Bornas added that they would be working doubly hard to give the public the best information that they could. She added that Phivolcs would be the first one to say when it’s safe to go back.
In addition to this, Bornas emphasized that it’s up to the local government units to execute their evacuations plans. But, for residents within the high-risk areas, an evacuation is urged.
Yesterday, Vice-Mayor Natanauan claimed that the base surges would not reach nearby towns as it would go through a lake. However, Bornas and Renato Solidum have both shut down his claim.
The two have repeatedly explained that base surges or blast of hot gas, ash, and volcanic debris could easily cross or float on water as it did in the previous volcanic eruption.
They added that the explosion would have subsonic speed. This meant that the blast would be impossible to outrun.
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