Philippine farmers face bleak future in Taal's shadow

Volcano remains a danger, experts say, as people sneak back to save livestock

A man clearing volcanic ash from the roof of his house in Batangas province. Tens of thousands of people have fled villages blanketed by heavy ash from Taal.
A man clearing volcanic ash from the roof of his house in Batangas province. Tens of thousands of people have fled villages blanketed by heavy ash from Taal. PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS
A man clearing volcanic ash from the roof of his house in Batangas province. Tens of thousands of people have fled villages blanketed by heavy ash from Taal.
There are about 250 evacuees at Padre Pio Shrine in Santo Tomas, Batangas (above). PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS
There are about 250 evacuees at Padre Pio Shrine in Santo Tomas, Batangas (above left). Residents unloading their horses from a wooden boat after rescuing them from their homes and transporting them to Balete town, Batangas province.
(Above). Residents unloading their horses from a wooden boat after rescuing them from their homes and transporting them to Balete town, Batangas province. PHOTOS: CRISTINA MENINA FOR THE STRAITS TIMES, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Raul Dancel Philippines Correspondent In Santo Tomas, Batangas
Updated
Published
January 15, 2020 at 5:00 AM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Ms Estela Mendoza was looking forward to a full harvest of corn by the end of this month when a volcano which had been a majestic, if silent, presence for most of her life started roaring.

In a matter of hours, she saw her husband's entire crop blanketed with a thick layer of ash and mud as the volcano, Taal, spewed massive columns of earth and debris on a clear Sunday afternoon.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

ST One Digital

 $9.90/month

No contract

ST app access on 1 mobile device

Subscribe now

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 15, 2020, with the headline Philippine farmers face bleak future in Taal's shadow. Subscribe

Available for
iPhones and iPads
Available in
Google Play

MCI (P) 031/10/2021, MCI (P) 032/10/2021. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2021 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

Back to the top