Duterte to visit affected areas by Taal eruption

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit the areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption on Tuesday.

“Yes, tomorrow mag-ikot ako (make the rounds),” Duterte said Monday in an ambush interview when asked of his plans to visit those affected by Taal’s heightened activity.

“If I go with a helicopter, hindi ako makaikot (can’t go around). I want to go around. I want to visit all the affected areas,” he added.

Duterte, however, said he was cautioned to be careful becaise of the ashfall brought by Taal’s phreatic or stream-driven activity.

“Kaya lang (However), I have been warned by the doctor to be careful. Kasi nga, ito oh, dala-dala ko (I brought it along),” Duterte said, as he pointed to an air purifier hanging by his neck which is meant to improve the quality of air around the user by filtering it of contaminants, such as dust, pollen, smoke and other allergens. President Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit the areas affected by the Taal Volcano eruption on Tuesday.

“Di naman ito makacontrol ng (can’t be controlled by) ashes. May dynamics ako dito sa (because of) smoking, with the years of smoking, apektado yung lungs ko (my lungs have been affected),” he said.

A phreatic eruption, a steam-driven episode that occurs when water beneath the ground or on the surface is heated by magma, lava, hot rocks, or new volcanic deposits, occurred at Taal Volcano’s crater Sunday afternoon.

The volcano’s heightened activity forced airport authorities to cancel flights, schools and local government to suspend classes in Metro Manila and other affected areas.

Over 7,700 residents from Batangas and Cavite have already been evacuated, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) said.