MANILA, Philippines — Even the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s runway (Naia) was not spared by the ashfall brought about by the phreatic eruption of Taal Volcano, a video from Senator Bong Go showed.
The video from Go was seemingly captured while aboard a helicopter as it flew over Naia’s runway Monday morning.
WATCH: Ash still on NAIA's runway. Video from Sen. Bong Go @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/DAFeQ59nwK
— Krissy Aguilar (@KAguilarINQ) January 13, 2020
President Rodrigo Duterte flew back to Manila from Davao City and was “first to land in Manila” after airport authorities grounded flights over safety concerns due to the Taal eruption.
LIST: Canceled flights on Monday, January 13, 2020
Go said Duterte surveyed the area around Taal Volcano prior to landing in Manila.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised Taal Volcano’s alert level to 4 after it spewed a giant ash column following a phreatic explosion.
Ashfall caused by the volcano’s phreatic eruption reached nearby provinces including Metro Manila, forcing suspension of classes and work in government offices in the affected areas.
Over 7,700 residents from Batangas and Cavite have already been evacuated, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said.