Fret not, Mt. Makiling is not about to erupt

A mysterious steam coming from Mt. Makiling in Laguna is not an indication that it is about to erupt.

Los Baños Mayor Tony Kalaw on Thursday visited the Lakewood Subdivision in Barangay Tadlac where a mysterious white smoke or steam was seen by residents reportedly coming from Mt. Makiling.

According to the Department of Science and Technology-CALABARZON, after consulting with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) and members of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, they said that Mt. Makiling is an inactive volcano and the steam is evidence of old magma in the area.  

In its Facebook page, the Municipal Government of Los Baños said it met with different agencies including members of the Sangguniang Barangay of Tadlac,  Provincial Environment and Natural Resource Office (PENRO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and Homeowners Association of Lakewood Subdivision to identify the next steps to be taken and find out the source of the steam.

The local government said that it will submit a letter to DENR-MGB  about the incident to be directed to DOST-PHIVOLCS.

The Los Banos local government called for an investigation by PHIVOLCS as well as a scientific explanation on the source, its effect on Mt. Makiling and the residents of Los Baños.