Some 68,638 persons or 15,525 families have been affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano in Calabarzon (Region 4-A), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported on Thursday.

Of the figure, 12,685 families or 57,197 persons were in Batangas; 2,819 families or 11,334 persons, in Cavite; and 21 families or 107 persons, in Laguna.

The number of evacuees remained the same — 12,977 families or 57,286 persons taking shelter in 257 evacuation centers in the region, whom the DSWD has provided PHP3,993,359.10 worth of assistance to.

“The DRMB (Disaster Response Management Bureau) is on red alert status and is closely coordinating with (the) DSWD field office in Calabarzon for significant disaster response updates,” the report said.

This, as the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said the threat of Taal Volcano’s dangerous eruption remains due to the “intense seismic activity” that persists despite the “weak emission” of ash plumes.

Phivolcs advised residents near Taal Volcano to stay on guard “against the effects of heavy and prolonged ashfall”.

The airspace around the volcano remains off-limits. (PNA)