MANILA, Philippines – Authories has placed hard hit town of Talisay, Batangas by Taal eruption has been placed under lockdown to prevent residents from going back to their homes.

Famous for live Tilapia and Maliputo before Taal volcano’s eruption last Sunday, Talisay was one of the towns hit hard by the eruption of Taal Volcano.

Evacuation responders claimed close to 40,000 people had been evacuated from their homes in areas near Taal Volcano.

Brig. Gen. Kit Teofilo, commander of the Joint Task Group Taal, said the lockdown was requested by the local government unit (LGU) of Talisay.

“[This is] to prevent residents from going back to their property to collect their animals and other belongings,” he told The Manila Times.

He added that some evacuees who sneaked into their homes asked to be rescued. To keep residents out of danger, local officials asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government to place the entire town on lockdown.

Teofilo said the situation in other areas is being reviewed.

He gave assurances that authorities were taking steps to rescue animals left behind by fleeing residents.

The Manila Times also said volunteers from various animal groups and LGUs joined forces to rescue the animals, he added.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that a total of 9,527 were affected by the volcanic eruption in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite.

Of this number, 8,896 families or 38,203 persons are staying in 198 evacuation centers in Alitagtag, Balayan, Batangas City, Bauan, Calaca, Calatagan, Lian, San Pascual, Sto. Tomas and Tuy in Batangas, and in Alfonso and Tagaytay City in Cavite. (IAMIGO/Currentph.com)