On Saturday, Malacañang appealed to residents and tourists to heed warnings by state volcanologists to keep away from the crater of Taal Volcano in Batangas, due to high carbon dioxide levels there.

Deputy presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said tourists and residents should also heed the calls of local officials to evacuate once the need arises.

Cooperate with local officials on the ground (Inn such situations, our first appeal would be to heed the authorities in staying away from the volcano's crater. And those residents living at the foot of the volcano should heed village leaders' call to evacuate if the need arises)," Valte said on government-run dzRB radio.

Also, she said local disaster management officials should remain on alert for any sign of danger.

"They, the frontliners, are the first to respond to any situation," she said.

On Friday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned visitors and tourists against venturing near Taal's crater after they (Phivolcs) had noted increased carbon dioxide levels in the area.

Taal is a major tourist attraction.

But Phivolcs head Renato Solidum Jr. said carbon dioxide levels in March were more than four times what they were last year.

"The levels of carbon dioxide at the crater area are very high. Last year, the levels reached 1,000 tons a day. This rose to 2,000 tons a day in January. But in March, the levels went further up to 4,600 tons a day", Solidum said in an interview on dzBB radio Friday.

He said this was due to underground magma releasing gas.

Further, Solidum said carbon dioxide is dangerous to humans and may cause dizziness and suffocation.

"Carbon dioxide is harmful to humans. If you inhale too much of it you can die", he said.