Classes resume as vog over Taal clears

MANILA, Philippines — The volcanic smog or vog over Taal Volcano cleared yesterday after causing hazy conditions over parts of Luzon earlier this week, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Phivolcs-Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division chief Mariton Bornas said no vog had been observed and the skies had cleared over the active volcano.

Still, there has been continued upwelling of hot volcanic fluids in the main crater as sulfur dioxide flux reached 5,128 tons per day last Tuesday. This is relatively low compared to the daily average of 10,000 tons per day at the start of the year.

There was voluminous emission, with plumes reaching 2,100 meters high drifting to the northwest.

Bornas said emissions from the active volcano could continue for a few years, following the phreatic eruption in 2020.

No volcanic earthquakes had been recorded in the past 24 hours.

State volcanologists said Taal remains under Alert Level 1 or low-level unrest.

Phivolcs warned that entry into the permanent danger zone is still prohibited as possible hazards – phreatic or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall and expulsions of volcanic gas – could occur.

2,967 schools affected

While classes have since resumed in many areas affected by the vog coming from Taal Volcano and the pollutant-induced haze in Metro Manila, the Department of Education (DepEd) yesterday said nearly 3,000 schools were affected.

Data from the DepEd said 2,967 schools in Metro Manila, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) and Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) suspended classes last Monday, affecting over 3.5 million students.

Of the number, 2,685 schools were in Calabarzon, which affected over 2.8 million students.

While the DepEd has yet to confirm the resumption of classes in the region, onsite classes remained suspended until yesterday in several areas due to high vog levels from Taal Volcano.

Last Monday, the DepEd said 254 schools with 730,336 learners in Metro Manila were affected, but these resumed classes last Tuesday.

In Mimaropa, where 28 schools with 5,922 students were affected, classes resumed yesterday.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara earlier issued a memorandum authorizing all affected schools in Calabarzon and Metro Manila to suspend classes if there are no announcements from local government units.

Angara 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,” he said.

The DepEd urged schools to report any displacement, injury or other incidents involving students and teachers connected to the vog. – Neil Jayson Servallos