Albay suspends classes in areas affected by ash fall, schools used by evacuees

Mayon Volcano spewed ash over two towns in Albay Saturday, causing hundreds to flee and seek shelter in evacuation centers. Photo by Amy Moral, Contributor

GUINOBATAN, Albay — Gov. Al Francis Bichara has ordered Sunday the suspension of classes from kinder to senior high school starting on Monday in the areas affected by the Mount Mayon eruption and in schools used as evacuation centers for the displaced families.

The suspension in schools used as evacuation centers will last until the schools are able to “organize special scheme of classes, taking into consideration availability of classrooms,” Bichara said.

Bichara is also the chairman of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chairman.

Other schools not used as evacuation centers will continue regular classes, but are advised to provide students with damp cloths for protection in case of ash fall.

The schools in the following barangays will be used as evacuation centers:

• Anoling, Quirangay, Sua, Tumpa, and Tinubran in Camalig
• Tandarora and Maninila in Guinobatan
• Miisi, Budiao, and Matnog in Daraga
• Calbayog and Canaway in Malilipot
• Buang, Buhian, and Magapo in Tabaco City
• Baligang and Amtic in Ligao City

In Camalig, residents from Barangay Anoling and Barangay Cabagñan are housed in Anoling Elementary School and Cabagñan Elementary School, respectively.

In Guinobatan, the affected areas are Barangay Maninila and Barangay Tandarora, and Sitio Basiao in Barangay Muladbucad Grande.

Maninila residents are taking shelter in Guinobatan East Central School, while Tandarora residents are in Binogsacan National High School.

Sitio Basiao of Barangay Muladbucad Grande residents are in the Muladbucad Multi-Purpose Center. /atm