MANILA -- Philippine businesses grappled with the eruption of a volcano near the country's capital on Monday, forcing the temporary closure of factories, banks and the stock market as well as the cancellation of hundreds of flights.
The country is bracing for a possible "hazardous explosive eruption" after Taal volcano, roughly 100 km south of Manila, released lava early on Monday. A day earlier, the volcano spewed large amounts of ash that blanketed nearby areas, including parts of Metropolitan Manila.
