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MANILA, Jan. 13-- Nearly 50,000 people living near a volcano on an island close to the Philippine capital have heeded official warning to evacuate as fears of an eruption grew, officials said on Monday. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology increased the alert level for Taal Volcano in Talisay town in Batangas, approximately 66 km south of Manila, on Sunday to 4 on a scale of 5, indicating an increased prospect of a hazardous eruption "within hours to days." Level 4 means a hazardous eruption is in progress. The volcanic institute declared a permanent danger zone within Taal volcano's 14-km radius as the volcano spewed lava and ashes. Volcano institute head Renato Solidum said the restive volcano spewed fountains of red-hot lava and massive ash flumes before dawn on Monday. He said the institute has recorded a total of 52 volcanic earthquakes in the Taal region as of 12:49 a.m. on Monday. "Such intense seismic activity probably signifies continuous magma intrusion beneath the Taal edifice, which may lead to further eruptive activity," Solidum said. Mayor Gerry Natanuan of Talisay town in Batangas province said 45,000 people living near Taal volcano, a popular tourist spot, were evacuated Sunday night. He said that a few villagers who stayed to watch over their homes will eventually be forced to evacuate. Batangas province Vice Governor Mark Leviste said there are 12 towns around the volcano but the towns of Talisay, Agoncillo, and Laurel towns are high-risk areas. The towns and Taal Volcano island is home to farmers, fishermen and tourist guides. | 
