The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) explains that Taal Volcano’s degassing activity may lead to the occurrence of “thick volcanic smog or vog” —Photo courtesy of Phivolcs
MANILA, Philippines — Some areas in Calabarzon and Metro Manila suspended classes or shifted to modular or online learning on Tuesday, August 20, due to volcanic smog from Taal.
On Sunday, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council of Talisay town in Batangas announced an “increased presence of volcanic smog (vog) in the area.”
“This is due to the ongoing degassing activity of Taal Volcano,” it said in a Facebook post.
Below is the list of areas that suspended classes or shifted to modular learning, both public and private:
Batangas
- San Jose (classes advised to shift to modular or online distance learning)
- Malvar (classes advised to shift to modular or online distance learning)
- Lipa City (classes will shift to modular or online distance learning)
- Laurel (classes advised to shift to modular or online distance learning)
- Ibaan
- Balete (classes will shift to modular or online distance learning)
- Tanauan (classes will shift to modular or online distance learning)
- Sto. Tomas (classes will shift to modular or online distance learning)
- San Luis (classes will shift to modular or online distance learning)
- Alfonso
- Amadeo
- Silang
- Kawit
- Rosario
- Indang
- Maragondon
- Tanza
- Mendez
- General Mariano Alvarez
- Naic
- Noveleta
- General Emilio Aguinaldo
- Magallanes
- Ternate
- Trece Martires
- Cavite City
- Imus
- Dasmariñas
- General Trias
- Bacoor
- Tagaytay
- Carmona
Metro Manila
- University of Santo Tomas (classes will shift to online distance learning or remote work)
- Mapua University (classes will shift to online distance learning)
- Adamson University (classes will shift to online distance learning)
Earlier, the Department of Education (DepEd) authorized schools in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) and Metro Manila that are affected by vog to suspend in-person classes even without an official announcement from their respective local government units.
The DepEd issued the directive on Monday through an advisory following Taal’s release of vog over the past 24 hours.
“To ensure learning continuity in affected areas, DepEd instructs schools to employ alternative delivery modalities such as modular or online learning,” the agency said.
According to DepEd, the decision to lift the suspension will depend on “whether it is safe for learners and teachers to return” to their respective schools.