More than 50,000 people have fled a potential “explosive eruption” of the Taal volcano, which has spewed lava and plumes of ash near the Philippine capital since Sunday.
Volcanologists have warned an eruption could rain rocks and magma and set off a tsunami from the lake in which the volcano sits.
Meanwhile, thick ashfall from the volcano has cloaked many towns in the Batangas province causing millions of dollars worth of damage to crops. Clouds of ash were blown 62 miles to Manila, forcing hundreds of flights to be cancelled.
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The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) have been amassing donations of pet food to ensure they can provide much-needed meals to the animals left among the ash.
Dozens of horses and wild animals feared buried in ash
Dozens of horses and wild and farm animals are feared to have been buried under the ash spewed out from the volcano.
Authorities have updated the number of people forced to abandon their homes to more than 50,000.
"I strongly believe ... that Taal island will be declared a no man's land," Mr Lorenzana said on Tuesday during an emergency meeting.
He said his agency has declared the area around the volcano permanent danger zones where people are forbidden from setting up homes. The area was also in the 1960s declared a government-protected area and later a national park, meaning it should be off-limits to permanent settlers.
Volunteers wear gas masks as they search for pets left by owners as they fled the volcano danger zone.
'It's all in God's hand now'
Residents who fled the danger zone of the Taal volcano fear that they may not be able to return to their homes.
"It's all in God's hands now. We are not sure if we will have a home to return to," Leonita Gonzales told Reuters.
Her banana palms were destroyed by the ash that fell after the volcano started to gush smoke on Sunday. She is uncertain whether her home's tin roof will be able to bear the weight either.
Magma continues to rise from below volcano
Volcanic experts said on Tuesday that while surface activity had slowed, there were clear indications that magma – molten rock in the Earth’s crust – continued to rise up from below.
The signs, said chief scientist Maria Antonia Bornas, were similar to those in a major 1911 event "before it progressed into a climactic or explosive eruption". The 1911 eruption killed about 1,500 people.
Also be aware that due to this flights in and out of Manila international airport are subject to disruption. You should consult your carrier.
In addition, the ash cloud is over Metro Manilla and local government authorities in Manila have begun to advise staying indoors while ash is falling.“
