Taal eruption forces over 160K Batangueños to evacuate

As of January 18, more than 160,000 people from Batangas have been evacuated to various centers in Batangas, Cavite, and Quezon due to Taal Volcano's eruption starting on January 12.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council reported 37,355 families or 162,728 individuals staying in evacuation centers, excluding those who stayed with relatives.

Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas stated that around 600,000 residents left their homes for safety, with about 48,000 accounted for in official centers but the number is higher when including those hosted by family members.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported only 22,472 families or 96,061 individuals as evacuees.

A lockdown was implemented in several Batangas municipalities and parts of Lipa City due to the ongoing volcanic activity.