School classes still suspended in Batangas town due to volcanic smog

Footage taken from Taal Volcano Observatory catches the degassing activity from the main crater on June 4. SCREENGRAB FROM PHIVOlCS FACEBOOK PAGE

LUCENA CITY — The local government of Agoncillo town in Batangas province extended on Tuesday the suspension of in-person classes in public and private schools due to the continued volcanic sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission from Taal Volcano, which remains under Alert Level 1.

Mayor Cinderella Reyes in a memorandum issued on June 12 cited the report from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) that “the sulfur dioxide emission is still way above normal standard.”

“Hence, upon recommendation of our MDRRM (municipal disaster risk reduction management), the June 13, 2023 in-person classes in all levels shall likewise be suspended,” the mayor said. Schools in the town were ordered to shift temporarily to online or modular classes.

On June 9, Reyes in another memorandum declared the suspension of classes and subject to further extension if the need arises to protect the health of students and teachers after “vog” (volcanic smog) reached the town.

Vog consists of fine droplets containing acidic volcanic gas. It causes irritation to the eyes and throat, and can be harmful to people with respiratory illnesses.

Agoncillo is one of the localities that surround the lake, along with Talisay, Laurel, Sta. Teresita, San Nicolas, Alitagtag, Cuenca, Balete, and Mataasnakahoy and Tanauan and Lipa cities.

But only Agoncillo issued the class suspension order on Tuesday.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin Tuesday, the Phivolcs reported that the volcano emitted 5,024 tonnes of SO2 over the past 24 hours that rose to 900 meters above Taal Volcano Island.

The Phivolcs logged 28 volcanic tremors in the past 24 hours, with durations of two minutes long.

Authorities in towns surrounding Taal volcano have advised local residents to remain vigilant and continue to monitor government advisories.

Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism issued a public advisory on June 11 declaring that “boating and other tourism-related activities on the Taal Lake” are prohibited at this time.

The DOT said tourism activities outside the Permanent Danger Zone were “generally safe.”

“However, entry to the Taal Volcano Island, especially the main crater and Daang Kastila fissures is strictly prohibited,” the DOT stressed.

The DOT reminded the public and tourism stakeholders living within the concerned areas “to refrain from entering identified high-risk areas” and to stay updated on emergency information and alerts issued by government authorities.

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