Guinobatan, Camalig suspend classes as Mayon Volcano stays restless

The municipalities of Camalig and Guinobatan have suspended on Tuesday classes in all levels as the Mayon Volcano continued to show signs of restiveness and ash fall posed health risks to residents.

Camalig Mayor Maria Ahrdail Baldo, who is also the head of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, issued Advisory No. 5, cancelling classes in all levels from both public and private schools “effective 12:00 noon, January 16, 2018, until lifted.”

Guinobatan Mayor Ann Ongjoco, meanwhile, issued Executive Order No. 2018-03, declaring “suspension of classes in all levels today, 16th day of January 2018, commencing 12 noon towards the end of the day.”

Both local government officials cited the Alert Level 3 status of the Mayon Volcano as well as the “series of pyroclastic density currents” and ash fall experienced in their respective areas as reasons for the suspension of classes.

Mayon volcano as of January 16, 2018, 8 am. Contributed photo by Vynce Opeña

Earlier, Albay Governor Al Francis Bichara has instructed the municipalities of Camalig and Guinobatan; and Ligao City to “conduct localized suspension of classes, in all levels both public and private schools in the event of moderate to heavy ash fall for health reasons.”

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

The pyroclastic density current, as explained by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), was generated by lava collapse at Mayon Volcano that occurred around 7:58 a.m. on Tuesday.        Faye Orellana                             /kga

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