A fisherman continues fishing in Laurel, Batangas on Wednesday even as Taal Volcano releases volcanic smog due to increased activity. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA (UPDATE) — Some residents of Laurel town in Batangas province have fallen ill due to increased concentration of volcanic smog from restive Taal Volcano.
Laurel, Batangas Mayor Lyndon Bruce said some residents have developed cough and other respiratory problems due to the vog.
"We have advised residents to mask up. We are coordinating with every barangay to distribute face masks," he said in a TeleRadyo interview.
Health officials earlier said some 100 residents mostly children have complained of respiratory problems including asthma.
Classes in Laurel, Batangas remain suspended Thursday to ensure the safety of students.
The Batangas Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said some people are experiencing runny nose, common colds and itchiness of throat.
The Batangas PDRRMO has distributed 10,000 units of N95 masks, which are proven most effective at filtering ash.
"Due to the high volume of smog being emitted by Taal Volcano, classes are still suspended in the municipalities of Agoncillo, Balete, Laurel and Talisay," Batangas PDRRMO head Dr. Amor Calayan told ANC's "Rundown" Thursday.
"We still insist that the people should be warned of not going to the island of Taal Volcano, not to be complacent but be prepared to whatever things might happen when worse comes to worse," she added.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology earlier said the volcano has emitted 7,680 tons of sulfur dioxide on June 7, Wednesday
Vog has reached the towns of Laurel, Talisay and Agoncillo in Batangas as well as neighboring provinces as far as Metro Manila.
As of Thursday, Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1, which means it is in a state of low-level unrest, Phivolcs said.