MANILA (2nd UPDATE) — A phreatic eruption occurred from the summit of Mount Bulusan on Tuesday night, Phivolcs said.

The eruption lasted approximately 77 minutes, based on the agency's seismic and infrasound records.

According to the agency, the eruption started at 7:43 p.m. with rumbling sounds being heard at Barangay Cogon in Irosin.

A total of 54 volcanic earthquakes were recorded for the day as of 8:00 p.m.

When asked about the difference of the latest eruption from the previous recent phreatic eruption, Phivolcs said it is the same and that they are just calculating the exact height of the eruption.

"Right now, baka this is just the same as the phreatic eruption we experienced yesterday so we are currently retaining it at alert level 1," Phivolcs Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said in an interview with TeleRadyo Serbisyo's Johnson Ikwento Mo.

He said they are still monitoring the volcano in case they need to up its alert level.

Bacolcol also said that as of Tuesday evening, only ashfall is expected to affect surrounding areas and no magma is to be expected.

The official also reminded locals to follow advisories from the local government unit to stay ahead of the dangers of the eruption.

Entry into the four-kilometer radius permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited. Phivolcs also advised vigilance in the two-kilometer extended danger zone "due to the possible impacts of volcanic hazards such as pyroclastic density currents or PDCs, ballistic projectiles, rockfall, avalanches, ashfall and others."

Residents of Irosin, Sorsogon were immediately evacuated. According to Ricmar Paluyo, the captain of Barangay Cogon in Irosin, 53 families are already staying in evacuation centers.

Clearing operations in areas affected by ash fall have also begun.

GOV'T RESPONSE

Malacanang on Wednesday assured Sorsogon residents that government was working to address the needs of those affected by Bulusan's eruption.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian flew to the province on Tuesday upon the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to directly supervise the provision of much-needed assistance to affected residents.

“Dahil nga po sa direktiba po ng ating Pangulo patungkol po dito sa Bulusan Volcano eruption, dumalaw na po kaagad-agad si Secretary Rex Gatchalian, DSWD Secretary, pumunta po sila kahapon sa nasabing lugar at sila po ay nagkaroon ng pag-assess at binisita po ang mga evacuation centers,” she said

“Nandoon din po, ready na po ang mga food packs para po sa mga naapektuhan at nagkaroon rin po sila ng mobile kitchen dito sa Barangay Tughan, Juban, Sorsogon.”

Castro said the DSWD has enough financial resources available to address the situation and has stockpiled family food packs that will be distributed to residents.

-- with a report from Nicole Frilles, ABS-CBN News