MANILA- President Rodrigo Duterte flew back to Manila from his hometown Davao City on Monday even as several flights were canceled due to Taal Volcano's ash explosion.

Duterte was on board the first plane that landed in Manila on Monday morning, his former aide Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go said.

During the flight, the President surveyed the spewing ash and smoke from the volcano which threatens a "hazardous eruption."

"Sabi niya (President Duterte), billions kawalan everyday pag paralyzed ang businesses," Go told ABS-CBN News.

(The President said the country would lose billions everyday if businesses are paralyed.)

President Duterte flew back to Manila from Davao City this morning. Sen. Bong Go said they were the first to land in Manila today as several flights were canceled due to the #TaalVolcano ash explosion (📷 Sen. Go) @ABSCBNNews pic.twitter.com/4EjDEg92Yo

— Arianne Merez (@arianne_merez) January 13, 2020

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President was unable to fly back to Manila on Sunday night due to poor visibility brought about by the rumbling volcano.

"He will be having a live one-on-one interview with me anytime this week to touch and articulate on matters of national concern," Panelo said.

Malacañang suspended on Monday classes at all levels and work in government offices in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, and the Southern Tagalog region as Taal Volcano threatened a dangerous eruption.

• Classes, gov't work in NCR, Calabarzon, Region 3 suspended on Jan. 13