DepEd: Over 3.5M learners affected by class suspensions due to Taal vog

FILE PHOTO: The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology says Taal Volcano again showed a degassing activity that produced “thick volcanic smog or vog” on June 7, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Phivolcs)

MANILA, Philippines — More than 3.5 million Filipino learners have been affected by the suspension of face-to-face classes due to the degassing activity of the Taal Volcano in the past few days, the Department of Education (DepEd) said on Wednesday.

Based on DepEd’s data as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, the following regions suspended in-person classes on Aug. 19 due to the vog from Taal Volcano:

READ: Taal Volcano’s gas emission rises, ‘vog’ still observed

• National Capital Region (NCR) – 730,336 students from 254 schools affected
• Region 4A – 2,850, 095 students from 2,685 schools  affected
• Region 4B – 5,922 students from 28 schools affected

Schools in NCR and Region 4B resumed in-person classes on Aug. 20 and 21, respectively. In-person classes in Region 4A remain suspended.

At least 230,754 students in Laguna and 480,958 learners in Rizal shifted to alternative delivery mode of learning on Aug. 18 and 20, respectively.

On Monday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology reported the emission of 3,355 metric tons of sulfur dioxide rising some 2,400 meters above the Taal Volcano Island, locally called Pulo.

READ: More Calabarzon schools call off classes due to ‘vog’ from Taal

It also observed an “upwelling of hot volcanic fluids” in the main crater lake of the volcano.

The presence of vog was also observed on Aug. 17 to 18.