Metro Manila, Philippines – Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized the priority for the safety of school communities in Albay as Mayon Volcano remains under Alert Level 3 due to intensified magmatic unrest.
To ensure the protection of learners and personnel, the Department of Education (DepEd) has prepositioned at least 850 all-weather kits and N95 masks for immediate distribution to affected schools.
Alongside protective gear, DepEd mobilized PhP20,000 worth of learning, teaching, and hygiene kits per school to bolster local contingency plans.
“Prayoridad natin ang kanilang kaligtasan habang nagbibigay ng suporta para sa kanilang edukasyon sa gitna ng sakuna,” Angara said.
“Sisikapin natin na hindi maantala ang pag-aaral ng ating mga kabataan dito sa Albay sa kabila ng sitwasyon, lalo na’t magsisimula na ang summer remediation programs at darating na ang pasukan,” the Secretary added.
As of May 3, three schools—Tagaytay Elementary School, Bariw Elementary School and Cabangan Elementary School all in Camalig municipality—are currently serving as evacuation centers.
A total of 34 classrooms have been repurposed to temporarily shelter 488 families, or about 1,315 individuals including 101 displaced learners and nine personnel.
DepEd is coordinating closely with local disaster authorities to strengthen emergency preparedness and safety protocols to safeguard all learners and staff.
DepEd field offices and schools have been directed to secure all learning materials, records and equipment while prepositioning essential emergency resources.
Meanwhile, authorities maintain a strict prohibition on entering the 6-kilometer Permanent Danger Zone and Extended Danger Zone around Mayon as the threat of sudden explosions persists.
The public is urged to stay vigilant for sudden steam blasts or volcanic explosions, as well as the risk of Mayon Volcano erupting with lava.
This is a news release from the Department of Education
