A mass was held in the town of San Nicolas in Batangas to commemorate the first anniversary of the Taal Volcano eruption.
Residents who are considered survivors of the volcanic eruption attended the mass along with San Nicolas Mayor Lester De Sagun and Governor Mark Leviste.
Due to the pandemic, only a few were allowed to attend mass in gratitude for the safety of the residents. Residents were thankful that they have been able to return to their homes and are gradually recovering from the disaster.
Residents pray that the Taal Volcano would never erupt again.
After the mass, residents, and authorities recalled how they survived the thick ash and a series of strong earthquakes on January 12 last year.
The town of San Nicolas is one of the towns closest to the Taal volcano and suffered severe damage.
Traces of cracked roads, open ground, and damaged houses and buildings are still visible.
Today, the rehabilitation of the towns damaged by the Taal volcano is still ongoing.
Residents who are now at the National Housing Authority relocation site in Ibadan, Batangas are also not allowed to return to Pulo or Volcano Island.
Also read: What to do before volcanic eruption?
Taal Volcano eruption 2020
The Taal Volcano eruption in Batangas, Philippines on January 12, 2020, was a phreatomagmatic eruption from its main crater that spewed ashes across Calabarzon, Metro Manila, and some parts of Central Luzon and Ilocos Region, resulting in the suspension of school classes, work schedules, and flights in the area.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) subsequently issued an Alert Level 4, indicating “that a hazardous explosive eruption is possible within hours to days.”
By January 26, the PHIVOLCS observed an inconsistent, but decreasing volcanic activity in Taal, prompting the agency to downgrade its warning to Alert Level 3. It was February 14, when the PHIVOLCS finally decided to downgrade the volcano’s warning to Alert Level 2, due to its decreasing volcanic activity.
A total of 39 people died as a result of this Taal Volcano eruption, although only one reported case was directly caused by the eruption on January 12, 2020.