Comment: Is the region safer 15 years after the Boxing Day tsunami?

Taal spewing ash as it erupted recently. — AP

TENS of thousands were evacuated last week when the Philippines’ second most-active volcano, Taal, erupted after more than 40 years of being dormant.

Residents and visitors to the area stood alarmed but in awe at the sight of a 10km to 15km column of steam and ash emanating from the city of Tagaytay’s famous caldera. As evening struck, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) raised an alert level four over the tourist city – about 64km south of Manila – sending people scrambling to leave the ridge that straddles Cavite and Batangas, causing a traffic gridlock.

It wasn’t long before the warnings of a tsunami were issued.