The suspension of classes in La Castellana, Negros Occidental, due to the increasing unrest at Kanlaon Volcano has been lifted.
Classes at all levels in public and private schools will resume Monday, Sept. 23, Mayor Rhummyla Nicor Mangilimutan said in Executive Order No. 2024-036 issued Friday.
Recent assessments from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) and other relevant agencies have determined that while the unrest of Mt. Kanlaon remains at Alert Level 2, the threat is localized, and adequate safety protocols can be maintained without necessitating the ongoing suspension of educational activities, she said in her EO.
The relevant local government agencies, including the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Municipal/Provincial Health Office, and the Department of Education – Division Office, “have determined that conditions have improved and it is now safe to resume educational activities”, she added.
Mangilimutan said it is essential to resume academic operations in order to avoid further disruption to the education of students and the overall learning process.
All schools within the vicinity of Mt. Kanlaon must implement safety and contingency protocols, she added.
Kanlaon had 55 volcanic earthquakes and emitted 10,449 tons of sulfur dioxide from 12 a.m. Saturday to 12 a.m. Sunday, Phivolcs reported.*