The volcanic smog or "vog" from Taal Volcano in Batangas province is "unlikely to reach" Metro Manila during the season "Amihan" or southwest monsoon, the chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said.

"As of now, the wind blowing is towards the southwest that's why the vog-affected areas in the Batangas City, San Jose, and Laurel," Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol said in a radio interview over TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

"Kung yung direksyon po ng hangin towards the north, puwede pong umabot ng Metro Manila. Pero amihan na po kasi, towards the southwest na po yung hangin (If the wind direction is towards the north, it could reach Metro Manila. But it is already amihan, so that winds directing towards southwest)," he added.

Bacolcol also noted that the vog, which prompted the suspension of classes in some areas in the province, was cleared on Monday.

"Ngayon po, very clear na yung Taal Volcano. Very beautiful na po yung main crater at wala tayong nakikitang vog na namumuo. In fact, yung plume na nakikita natin, madali siyang ma-disperse kasi mabilis po yung hangin ngayon (Today, the Taal Volcano is very clear. The main crate is very beautiful and we don't see any vog forming. In fact the plume that we opbserved, it can be easily dispersed, because the speedy winds)," Bacolcol said.

The Phivolcs chief explained that the slow winds affected the concentrations of Taal vog in areas near the volcano on Sunday.

"Kahapon medyo mabagal kaya siguro na-concentrate po ito sa mga areas na malapit sa Taal Volcano (It was slow yesterday so maybe it was concentrated in the areas near the Taal Volcano)," he said.

Bacolcol advised the public in areas affected by the vog to limit exposure to the vog by avoiding outdoor activities, drinking plenty of water, as well as keeping windows and doors closed.

Wearing face masks when going outdoors is also highly advisable to prevent throat irritation.

Local government units in Batangas, Laguna, and Rizal have either suspended or shifted to modular distance learning on Monday due to the Taal vog.