Calabarzon, Metro classes suspended due to Taal vog

MANILA, Philippines — Schools in over 40 areas in Calabarzon and Metro Manila suspended on-site classes yesterday due to volcanic smog or vog that covered many areas in Batangas and Cavite as Taal Volcano emitted at least 3,335 tons of sulfur dioxide.

According to the Department of Education, classes were suspended in schools located in Balete, Balayan, Malvar, Laurel, San Jose, Mataasnakahoy, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Nasugbu, Lemery, Lian, Talisay, San Luis, Alitagtag, Calaca City, San Pascual, Calatagan, Tuy, Cuenca, Sta. Teresita, Bauan, San Juan, Taal, Padre Garcia and Ibaan – all in Batangas province.

In Cavite, face-to-face classes were also suspended in Silang, Mendez, Indang, Alfonso, GMA, Carmona, Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, Amadeo, Maragondon, Naic and Carmona.

 Schools in Calamba, Biñan and Los Baños in Laguna province as well as Metro Manila schools in Las Piñas and Muntinlupa also suspended classes.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara issued a memorandum authorizing all affected schools in Calabarzon and Metro Manila to suspend classes if there are no announcements from local government units. He also ordered schools to implement modular or online learning.

“Meanwhile, the decision to lift the suspension will depend on whether it is safe for learners and teachers to return. Concerned personnel are advised to stay updated through news and announcements from the Philippine Institute for Volcanology and Seismology,” Angara said, referring to Phivolcs.

He urged schools to report any displacements, injuries or other incidents involving students and teachers connected to the volcanic smog.

Teresito Bacolcol, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) director, said over dzBB that the smog was experienced in the towns of Laurel, Tuy, San Luis, Balayan, Lemery, Talisay, Agoncillo, San Nicolas, Balete, Santa Teresita, Malvar and Alitagtag as well as in the cities of Calaca, Batangas and Santo Tomas – all in Batangas province.

The volcanic smog, he added, was also reported in Silang town and Tagaytay city in Cavite.

“Volcanic smog is a mixture of water vapor, water particulate and sulfur dioxide. If hot volcanic material comes in contact with water,