The Department of Education (DepEd) on Friday, Sept. 22, reiterated the importance of staying healthy and safe amid the presence of volcanic smog or “vog” in Metro Manila cities and other nearby provinces.
“Stay safe, Ka-DepEd!,” the agency said in a Facebook post and shared important information from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) on “vog.”
DepEd shared this important information from the PHIVOLCS-DOST regarding volcanic smog to serve as a guide in protecting the health and safety of learners, teaching and non-teaching personnel as well as their families.
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Due to the volcanic smog from Taal Volcano, many areas have suspended classes.
In Batangas province, classes at all levels both in public and private schools were suspended in Alitagtag, Balayan, Calatagan, Lian, Lemery, Nasugbu, Mataasnakahoy, San Luis, Sta. Teresita, Taal, and Tanauan were suspended. In Tuy, classes in elementary, junior, and senior high schools in public and private schools were also suspended.
Classes at all levels, both public and private schools, in some areas in Cavite province were also suspended including Alfonso, Amadeo, Bacoor City, Cavite City, Carmona, Dasmariñas City, GEA (Bailen), GMA, Gen. Trias City, Imus City, Indang, Kawit, Magallanes, Maragondon, Mendez, Naic, Noveleta, Rosario, Silang, Tagaytay City, Tanza, Ternate, and Trece Martires City.
In Laguna, classes at all levels, both public and private schools, were also suspended in Biñan, Cabuyao, Los Baños, and San Pedro,
Local governments in several Metro Manila cities also declared suspension of classes at all levels, both public and private schools, including Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Pasay, and San Juan.
Afternoon classes were also suspended in Caloocan, Marikina, Mandaluyong, Pasig, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Manila, Quezon City, Taguig, Pateros, and Makati.
As stated in DepEd Order No. 037 s. of 2022 or the “Guidelines on the Cancellation or Suspension of Classes and Work in Schools in the Event of Natural Disasters, Power Outages/Power Interruptions, and Other Calamities,” schools may implement modular distance learning “in the event of canceled or suspended classes due to natural disasters, calamities, and human-induced hazards to ensure learning continuity and that learning competencies and objectives are met.”
Some universities and colleges also suspended classes due to poor air quality in Metro Manila and other nearby provinces.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/22/some-he-is-suspend-classes-due-to-unhealthy-air-condition
In a statement, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that the formation of haze or smog was due to “thermal inversion.”
Phivolcs also clarified the smog is not related to Taal Volcano's activity.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/22/metro-manila-smog-not-related-to-taal-volcano-s-activity
Related to this, the Department of Health (DOH) also issued a health advisory amid the presence of “vog” in the affected areas.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2023/9/21/stay-indoors-and-wear-masks-doh-issues-vog-safety-guidelines
