United States Embassy Manila, Philippines
Natural Disaster Alert – U.S. Embassy Manila (January 12, 2020)
Location: Vicinity of Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel, Batangas, Philippines
Event: The U.S. Embassy advises U.S. citizens in the Philippines to exercise caution if contemplating travel in the vicinity of the Taal Volcano Island and the Barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel, located in Batangas, approximately 100 kilometers south of Manila, on the island of Luzon. In light of ongoing volcanic and seismic activity, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) has issued an ALERT LEVEL 3 over Taal Volcano. PHIVOLCS strongly recommends that, “Taal Volcano Island and high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel, Batangas be evacuated due to possible hazards of pyroclastic density currents and volcanic tsunami.”
Actions to Take:
- Be vigilant and, according to PHIVOLCS, “the public is reminded that the entire Volcano Island is a Permanent Danger Zone, and entry into the island as well as high-risk barangays of Agoncillo and Laurel is prohibited.”
- Those planning travel to the Taal volcano region are encouraged to monitor current conditions, maintain active awareness of local conditions, and especially refrain from entering the Permanent Danger Zone and high-risk barangays.
- Continue to monitor local media as well as the PHIVOLCS web site for updates on the situation http://www.phivolcs.dost.gov.ph/.
Assistance:
- U.S. Embassy in the Philippines
+63 (2) 5301-2000 - ACSInfoManila@state.gov
- State Department – Consular Affairs
888-407-4747 or 202-501-4444 - Philippines Country Information
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates
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