Kanlaon eruption affects 126,572 students

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 126,572 learners were affected by the disruption of classes following the moderately explosive eruption of Kanlaon Volcano on Negros Island on Sunday, according to the Department of Education.

The DepEd disaster risk reduction and management service said it is closely monitoring the impact of the volcano’s ongoing activity on schools, learners and school personnel in affected areas.

The agency said a total of 258 public schools in Canlaon City in Negros Oriental as well as in Himamaylan and San Carlos in Negros Occidental have shifted to flexible learning modalities.

“This marks the third eruptive event in Kanlaon this year, following similar eruptions on Feb. 19 and 26,” DepEd said.

The volcano remains under alert Level 2 and entry into the four-kilometer permanent danger zone is strictly prohibited.

Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense in Negros Island Region (OCD-NIR) has intensified preparedness efforts following the volcanic eruption, which produced ash plumes for several hours.

Citing assessments by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), OCD-NIR chief Donato Sermeno III said the volcano appeared to be in an alarming state as it erupted three times in less than a month.

Phivolcs noted that Kanlaon’s ash emission on Sunday lasted almost four hours.

Ninety barangays in 11 local government units in Negros Occidental were either affected by ashfall or sulfur stench. The eruption also sparked a fire in woods and grasslands located within the volcano’s danger zone.

Phivolcs director Teresito Bacolcol, however, said that Kanlaon’s recent activities were consistent with the parameters set under alert Level 2, noting that moderately explosive eruptions can be expected “every now and then.”

Bacolcol said residents in communities surrounding Kanlaon, particularly near the danger zone must stay alert at all times. — Gilbert Bayoran