The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology on Friday evening reported an ongoing grass fire on the southeast slopes of Taal Volcano Island.

The Batangas Provincial Office said in a social media update that it is closely coordinating with DOST-PHIVOLCS to monitor the situation, stressing that the volcano did not erupt and that an investigation is underway.

“Kasalukuyan pong iniimbestigahan ang nangyaring sunog sa ating Volcano Island na nasasakop ng Bayan ng Balete, ito ay ayon sa kanilang Information Officer,” the provincial office said.

“Hindi po totoo na ito ay pumuputok. Manatili po tayong ligtas mga kababayan. Kung sakali pong may mga ‘fake reels’ na lumalabas sa inyong mga Facebook news feed ay huwag po itong paniwalaan,” it added.

The Philippine Coast Guard said no fire suppression was conducted as a precautionary measure to avoid exposing responders to unnecessary hazards.

Meanwhile, the Talisay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) reported Saturday that Taal Volcano remains under Alert Level 1.

Based on the most recent monitoring data, the volcano recorded one volcanic earthquake and emitted 257 tons of sulfur dioxide on 28 January. Volcanic plumes rose up to 300 meters and drifted southwest.

The Talisay MDRRMC emphasized that there are no indications of an eruption or any increase in the alert level, and urged the public not to spread false information that could cause panic.

“Ipinapaalam sa publiko na ang kasalukuyang nagaganap sa bahagi ng Taal Volcano Island ay isang grass fire lamang at hindi pagputok ng bulkan. Wala sa kasalukuyan ang anumang indikasyon ng pagsabog o pagtaas ng alert level batay sa opisyal na ulat ng mga kinauukulang ahensy,” the council said.

“Mahigpit naming inaabisuhan ang lahat na huwag magpakalat ng maling impormasyon, lalo na ang mga balitang nagdudulot ng takot at pangamba sa mamamayan. Ang pagpapakalat ng hindi beripikadong balita ay maaaring magdulot ng kalituhan at hindi kinakailangang panic,” it added.

The council advised the public to rely only on information from authorized sources such as PHIVOLCS, local government units and official institutions.